The aim of this study was to analyze the value of continuous leakage
monitoring with red blood cells (RBC) labelled with 99mTcmedronate
and an external scintillation detector (surgical probe) in patients
treated with hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion (ILP) with tumor
necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) and melphalan. Systemic
hematological and metabolic profiles and tumor response were determined.
The mean isotopically measured leakage was 5.8% per hour.
The correlation between the monitored systemic activity in the blood by
surgical probe and by blood samplings were calculated. A good correlation
was observed between the two techniques. Patients with a low leakage
rate showed reduced adverse effect. Real time monitoring of the
leakage during ILP obtained with this method seems to be in our experience
easy, safe and accurate, and serves as a good guide for the effectiveness
of isolation during perfusion.
