Objective To investigate the feasibility of elective laparoscopic hepatectomy in the treatment of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods We tried to perform an elective laparoscopic hepatectomy for a middle-aged man who had a ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma without active hemorrhage. The data of this patient was summarized. Results The patient received the elective laparoscopic hepatectomy, and the liver lesions were completely removed. The operation was successful. Operative time was 300 min and intraoperative bleeding was 500 mL. Postoperative recovery of this patient was good and no complication occurred. The abdominal drainage tube was removed on 4 days after operation, and he discharged on 8 days after operation. The pathology confirmed that the hepatocellular carcinoma was moderately differentiated and ruptured. Conclusion Elective laparoscopic hepatectomy is safe and feasible in the treatment of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma for specific patient, but this operation needs to be performed by experienced surgeons with laparoscopic skills.