TOURNIQUET INFUSION CHEMOTHERAPY IN EXTREMITIES WITH MALIGNANT LESIONS

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 149  (4) , 481-490
Abstract
Tourniquet infusion chemotherapy involves the direct injection of a chemotherapeutic drug into the main artery of an extremity with prior application of an external tourniquet proximally on this extremity set at above the level of systolic pressure for 10 min. Thus, the drug is not diluted and pushed by the blood into the venous circulation before diffusion into the tissues has occurred. This technique, applied in 7 patients with various tumors of the extremities for a total of 40 instances, proved to be safe. Skin erythema and blisters, which are reversible, occur in the treated area. Complete clinical regression was achieved in all 6 patinets with evaluable tumor, with high percentages of tumor necrosis. It was possible to avoid amputation in 5 of the 7 patients treated. This technique appears superior to perfusion, but the long term permanence of regression was not ascertained.

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