AIM:To investigate hepatic function after combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) and radiofrequency ablation(RFA) with a short-term interval(0-2 d).METHODS:A total of 115 patients with compensated liver cirrhosis underwent RFA combined with TACE at a time-interval of 0-2 d for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)<5.0 cm.There were 21 patients who received further hepatic directed treatment altering liver function within 12 mo after the combined therapy for HCC-recurrence,and were excluded.The remaining94 patients who survived without HCC-recurrence were included in this retrospective study.RESULTS:At 1 mo after treatment,Child-Pugh scores(CPs)remained unchanged in 89 of 94 patients(94.7%),and transiently increased by one-point in 5 patients(5.3%).However,the score returned to baseline score at 3 mo and was maintained until 6 mo in all patients.The baseline CPs of 8 or more was identified as a factor for transient rise of CPs after the treatment(CPs 8/9 vs5/6/7;21.4%vs 2.5%;P=0.022).At 12 mo followup,CPs was unchanged in 90 patients(95.7%),and increased by one-point in 4 patients(4.3%).The rise of CPs at 12 mo was not statistically associated with the initial transient rise of CPs.There were procedure-related complications in 3 patients(3.2%),but the complications were resolved by medical and interventional treatments without hepatic functional sequelae.CONCLUSION:The combined TACE and RFA with an interval of 0-2 d are safe for the management of HCC<5 cm in cirrhotic patients. AIM: To investigate hepatic function after combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with a short-term interval (0-2 d). METHODS: A total of 115 patients with compensated liver cirrhosis underwent RFA combined with TACE at a time-interval of 0-2 d for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) <5.0 cm.There were 21 patients who received further hepatic directed treatment of altering liver function within 12 months after the combined therapy for HCC-recurrence, and were excluded . The remaining 94 patients who survived without HCC-recurrence were included in this retrospective study .RESULTS: At 1 mo after treatment, Child-Pugh scores (CPs) remained unchanged in 89 of 94 patients (94.7%), and transiently increased by one- point in 5 patients (5.3%). However, the score returned to baseline score at 3 mo and was maintained until 6 mo in all patients. The baseline CPs of 8 or more was identified as a factor for transient rise of CPs after the treatment (CPs 8/9 vs5 / 6 / CPT was unchanged in 90 patients (95.7%), and increased by one-point in 4 patients (4.3%). The rise of CPs at 12 mo was not statistically associated with the initial transient rise of CPs. There were procedure-related complications in 3 patients (3.2%), but the complications were resolved by medical and interventional treatments without hepatic functional sequelae. CONCLUSION: The combined TACE and RFA with an interval of 0-2 d are safe for the management of HCC <5 cm in cirrhotic patients.