ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of three different modes of blood flow blocking in hepatectomy for primary hepatocellular carcinoma.MethodsThe clinical data of 152 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent hepatectomy and postoperative pathology examination in our department in recent 3 years (2017–2020) were retrospectively analyzed. According to the modes of intraoperative hepatic blood flow occlusion, the patients were divided into three groups: intermittent Pringle method (IPM) group (41 cases), IPM was applied only; hemihepatic group (35 cases), hemihepatic blood flow blocking method was used only; and combined group (76 cases), combined hemihepatic blood flow blocking method and IPM. SPSS software was used to compare the differences of the three groups’ general data, intraoperative blood loss and postoperative liver function indexes. The changes of transaminase levels in the three groups were observed dynamically.ResultsBaseline data of the three groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in operative time, the number of resected liver segments, blood transfusion rate, incidence of complications, and postoperative length of stay among the three groups (all P>0.05). The intraoperative blood loss of the combined group and the IPM group were significantly less than that of the hemihepatic group (P<0.05). There was no difference in blood loss between the combined group and the IPM group (P>0.05). However, the blocking times in the combined group were significantly less than those in the IPM group (P<0.05). The transaminases in the three groups were close to the preoperative level on the fifth day after operation. Conclusions In hepatectomy of primary hepatocellular carcinoma, the three blocking modes are safe and effective. The combined application of hemihepatic blood flow blocking method and intermittent Pringle method can significantly reduce intraoperative blood loss, reduce the number of blocking, and do not aggravate the liver function injury.