['\u2002 The micro-total analysis system (µTAS), a fully automated immunoassay system using microchip capillary electrophoresis, is highly sensitive and able to quickly assay the AFP-L3%. The clinical usefulness of this system was studied.', '\u2002 We retrospectively enrolled 250 patients who underwent curative treatment for primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (93 patients underwent hepatic resection and 157, radiofrequency ablation [RFA]).', '\u2002 The sensitivity for µTAS AFP-L3% was 40.3% at the cutoff value of 5% in a range of AFP less than 20\u2003ng/mL where the conventional method was unable to determine AFP-L3%. The sensitivity for AFP-L3% remained high even at stage I and at tumor size less than 2\u2003cm (42.5% and 46.0%, respectively). Recurrence rate of patients with AFP-L3% greater than 5% was significantly higher than that of patients with less than 5% (P\u2003=\u20030.001). Furthermore, in resected patients, the postoperative AFP-L3% remained elevated with value greater than 5% was related to HCC recurrence (P\u2003=\u20030.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that multiple tumors (P\u2003=\u20030.004), preoperative AFP-L3% greater than 5% (P\u2003=\u20030.003), albumin less than 3.5\u2003g/dL (P\u2003=\u20030.008), and RFA (P\u2003=\u20030.003) were significant prognostic factors of recurrence.'] Is highly sensitive AFP-L3 % assay useful for predicting recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after curative treatment pre- and postoperatively?