Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA)-assisted anterior approach right hepatectomy between conventional right liver resection for central liver tumors. Methods: Sixty patients with central liver tumor were equally designated, using random number table, to control group and observational group. Patients in control group underwent conventional right liver resection, and patients in observational group underwent RFA-assisted anterior approach hepatectomy. The intraoperative conditions, length of postoperative hospital stay, incidence of postoperative complications and 5-year survival between the two groups were compared. Results: There was no statistical difference in operative time between the two groups (P>0.05), however, the intraoperative blood loss, the number of cases with intraoperative tumor rupture and massive haemorrhage, the number of cases requiring blood transfusion, and length of postoperative hospital stay were significantly reduced in observational group compared with control group (all P<0.05). The overall incidence of postoperative complications in control group and observational group was 46.67% and 36.67% respectively, and the difference between them had statistical significance (P>0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the 5-year survival rate in control group and observational group was 43.09% and 65.73% respectively, and the difference between them was statistically significant (P<0.001). Conclusion: RFA-assisted anterior approach right hepatectomy has demonstrable efficacy in treatment of central liver tumors, and is superior to the conventional right liver resection.