Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of using radiofrequency coagulation device for hepatic parenchymal transection in laparoscopic hepatectomy for liver cancer. Methods: The clinical data of 45 patients undergoing laparoscopic hepatectomy for liver cancer from July 2011 to December 2015 were retrospective analyzed. According to the hepatic parenchymal transection device used, the patients were divided into observational group (20 cases) using radiofrequency coagulation device for hepatic parenchymal transection and control group (25 cases) using ultrasonic scalpel for hepatic parenchymal transection. The relevant clinical variables between the two groups were compared. Results: In observational group compared with control group, the operative time showed no significant difference (P>0.05), the intraoperative blood loss [(325.00±111.80) mL vs. (628.00±119.09) mL], the proportion receiving blood transfusion (3/20 vs. 11/25) and the postoperative 24-h abdominal drainage volume [(110.00±57.95) mL vs. (334.40±209.56) mL] were all significantly decreased (all P<0.05). The postoperative liver function parameters, length of hospital stay, incidence of complications and total hospital costs showed no significant difference (all P>0.05). The overall survival rate (75.0% vs. 72.0%) showed no significant difference (P>0.05), but the tumor-free survival rate (75.0% vs. 36.0%) was significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusion: In laparoscopic hepatectomy for liver cancer, using radiofrequency coagulation device for hepatic parenchymal transection can effectively control blood loss, reduce postoperative complications and improve tumor-free survival rate, and its short-term efficacy is superior to the intraoperative use of ultrasonic scalpel.