Abstract: Objective To explore the value of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation(PRFA) combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) and percutaneous ethanol injection(PEI) in the management of recurrent small hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods Between March 2001 and March 2005,52 patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma(tumor size≤5 cm) underwent PRFA,and 14 of the patients(tumor size 3-5 cm) also received TACE and PEI,and their clinical data were analyzed retrospectively.Results MRI or CT after PRFA revealed complete coagulative necrosis of the tumor in 38 cases(tumor size <3 cm).In the 14 patients(tumor size 3-5 cm) with also TACE and PEI,complete necrosis occurred in 11 cases(78.6%).In the patients involved in this study,the 1-,2-,3-and 4-year survival rates were 96.2%,69.4%,45.5% and 30.0%,respectively.Conclusions PRFA is an effective modality for local treatment of recurrent small hepatocellular carcinoma,capable of total elimination of tumors <3 cm.For tumors of 3-5 cm,combination with TACE and PEI may help increase the tumor necrosis rate following the ablation and raise the patients’ survival rate.