Comparison 1. Surgery versus radiofrequency ablation.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1.1 Mortality at maximal follow‐up	4	574	Hazard Ratio (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.80 [0.60, 1.08]
1.2 Cancer‐related mortality at maximal follow‐up	1	230	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.35 [0.19, 0.65]
1.3 Mortality (> 1 year)	1	230	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.39 [0.22, 0.68]
1.4 Serious adverse events (number of participants)	1	120	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	17.96 [2.28, 141.60]
1.5 Serious adverse events (number of events)	2	391	Rate Ratio (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	7.02 [2.29, 21.46]
1.6 Any adverse events (number of participants)	2	183	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	4.09 [0.61, 27.41]
1.7 Any adverse events (number of events)	2	391	Rate Ratio (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	4.42 [2.74, 7.15]
1.8 HCC recurrence (local or distal)	3	413	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.53 [0.35, 0.78]
1.9 HCC recurrence (recurrence in liver)	2	350	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.49 [0.31, 0.78]
1.10 Length of hospital stay	3	530	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	8.42 [7.84, 9.01]
1.11 Mortality at maximal follow‐up (sensitivity analysis)	3		Hazard Ratio (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.68 [0.47, 1.00]