Prophylactic Antibiotic Use in Transarterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of prophylactic antibiotic use for TACE and occurrence of postoperative liver abscess.There would be two comparison groups. Current standard of care treatment at PKLI&RC (as per local guidelines) would be given to all patients receiving TACE for the intervention group or 'antibiotic group' (i.e., Inj. Ceftriaxone 1g, intravenous × stat). While no antibiotic would be given to the 'no antibiotic group'.

Inclusion Criteria:Diagnosis of primary liver cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma.Patients receiving TACE in PKLI & RC.Patients giving informed consent.Exclusion Criteria:Receiving two or more TACE during the same hospitalizationUse of any antibiotics other than the prophylactic antibiotic in 48hours prior to TACEKnown hypersensitivity to specified antibiotic used in the studyIncomplete or missing laboratory investigations and dataTaking Sorafenib before TACETACE combined with ablation or immunetherapyTumor size >10 cmPortal vein thrombosisDilated biliary channels on CT scan / Billiary invasion by tumor