Inclusion Criteria:  Diagnosis of HCC is in accordance to the diagnostic criteria for HCC used by the European Association for the Study of the Liver. HCC was diagnosed when the radiologic imaging techniques (spiral contrasted CT scan or contrasted MRI) showed typical features of HCC (contrast enhancement in the arterial phase and rapid wash-out of contrast in the venous or delayed phase) and/or elevated serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) level. HCC of maximum diameter up to 10 cm; Single or multiple tumor nodules confined to one liver lobe according to the previous reported series Major hepatectomy (resection of > 3 Couinaud's segments) is required as judged by hepatobiliary surgeons Absence of extrahepatic metastasis or radiological evidence of venous invasion of major portal vein or hepatic vein branches Child's A liver function Indocyanine green retention at 15 min (ICG-15) < 15% Adequate future liver remnant (image-guided volumetry > 35% of estimated standard liver volume) General condition fit for general anaesthesia  Exclusion Criteria:  Tumors unfavorable for major hepatectomy (e.g. bilobar tumors, main portal vein tumor thrombus and/or inadequate future liver volume) Previous treatment for HCC (e.g. transarterial chemoembolization, or chemotherapy) Tumors require combined hepatectomy and thermal ablation therapy