Which is more cost-effective under the MELD system: primary liver transplantation or salvage transplantation after hepatic resection or after loco-regional therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma within Milan criteria?

摘要

ObjectiveThe optimal strategy for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a disease with increasing incidence, in patients with Child–Pugh class A cirrhosis has long been debated. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of hepatic resection (HR) or locoregional therapy (LRT) followed by salvage orthotopic liver transplantation (SOLT) vs. that of primary orthotopic liver transplantation (POLT) for HCC within the Milan Criteria.