Bipolar RFA Using Twin ICW Electrodes vs. Switching Monopolar RFA for Recurrent HCC

Radiofrequency Ablation Using Internally Cooled Wet Electrodes in Bipolar Mode for the Treatment of Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Locoregional Treatment: A Randomized Prospective Comparative Study

This study was conducted to provide preliminary data for the main trial to compare efficacy between bipolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using twin internally cooled-wet electrodes and switching monopolar RFA using separable clustered electrodes in the treatment of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after locoregional treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• radiologic or pathologic diagnosis of HCC recurrence after locoregional treatment
• HCC nodules measuring 1 cm or larger and smaller than 5 cm

Exclusion Criteria:

• more than three HCC nodules
• tumors with major vascular invasion or abutment to the central portal or hepatic vein with a diameter > 5mm
• extrahepatic metastasis
• Child-Pugh class C
• severe coagulopathy (platelet cell count of less than 50,000 cells/mm3 or prothrombin time international normalized ratio (PT-INR) prolongation of more than 50 %)