Successful treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma by laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation in a patient with hemophilia A

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a good indication for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cases involving ≦ 3 tumors of ≦ 30 mm in size, many hepatologists are hesitant to perform the procedure for patients with hemorrhagic disorders. We herein report the successful treatment of HCC by laparoscopic RFA in a patient with hemophilia A. A 48-year-old man with moderate form of hemophilia A had a single HCC at segment 8. To perform laparoscopic RFA safely, recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) was administered to maintain factor VIII activity (FVIII:C) > 80% on the operation day and > 40% for 6 days after the operation in accordance with the guidelines. A total of 23,000 units of rFVIII was used. Laparoscopic RFA was completed with an operation time of 105 min and < 10 mL of blood loss. As a result, blood transfusion was not required. At 2 years after the initial treatment, HCC recurred at segment 7. Under rFVIII supplementation, we performed a second laparoscopic RFA without any events. Although partial hepatectomy is the main procedure used to treat HCC in patients with hemophilia, we could reduce in total use of rFVIII, blood and operation time by laparoscopic RFA compared with those in partial hepatectomy.