Laparoscopic Microwave Ablation and Salvage Liver Transplantation in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

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Background/Objectives: Salvage liver transplantation (SLT) is a well-established option for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after liver resection. Laparoscopic microwave ablation (L-MWA) represents another curative strategy for early-stage HCC. However, its role within this therapeutic framework remains unexplored. Methods: Between 2014 and 2023, we treated 1341 patients with HCC using L-MWA. From this cohort, patients with Child-Pugh class A liver function, HCC within the Milan criteria, no contraindications to transplantation, and ≥12 months of follow-up were selected. SLT failure was defined as non-transplantable recurrence or death, resulting in the loss of a potentially curative therapeutic opportunity. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS); secondary endpoints included predictors of survival and SLT failure. Results: A total of 341 patients met the inclusion criteria. Five-year OS was 62%. Independent predictors of poorer survival included the presence of cardiac disease or oesophageal varices, a Child-Pugh score of 6, tumour size, and elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. Treatment was successful in 255 patients (74.8%): 102 (29.9%) underwent SLT, 67 (19.6%) received alternative therapies, and 93 (27.3%) remained recurrence-free. Treatment failure occurred in 86 patients (25.2%) due to non-transplantable recurrence or death. Independent predictors of failure included older age, non-HBV aetiology, and elevated AFP levels. Five-year OS rates were 79% in the success group and 22% in the failure group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: A combined L-MWA and SLT strategy is safe and effective, yielding a 62% 5-year OS rate. This approach supports more efficient graft use with a consequent increase in the population transplant benefit. Improved selection may further reduce failure rates.

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