Abstract

Radiofrequency (RF) thermal ablation has been accepted as a promising technique for treating unresectable liver tumors. However, any interventional procedure should only be performed with minimal morbidity and mortality. Recently three separate multicenter surveys have shown an acceptable morbidity and mortality for a minimally invasive technique. The mortality ranged from 0.1-0.5%, the major complication rate from 2.2-3.1% and minor complication rate from 5-8.9%. The most common causes of death were sepsis and hepatic failure, and the most common major complications were intra-peritoneal bleeding, hepatic abscess, bile duct injury, hepatic decompensation and grounding pad burns. Minor complications and side effects were more common than major complications, but most of them were transient and self-limiting. The operator must understand the broad spectrum of complications after RF ablation as well as the strategies to minimize and manage appropriately

• Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma;Radiofrequency ablation;Image-guided tumor ablation;Complication