Abstract
A 35-year-old man was treated for pseudomyxoma peritonei by surgery and by thermal infusion and chemotherapy with a machine designed specifically for the treatment of cancers of serosal surfaces. After extensive abdominal resection and closure, the patient's peritoneal cavity was instilled with 2.5 liters of 5% lactated Ringer's solution. He was then attached to hyperthermic perfusion system which elevated the i.p. temperature by warming (to 42°) and recirculating the effusion solution. When the 42° i.p. temperature was attained (after 1.5 hr), chemotherapy was added to the recirculating effusion. A second procedure followed 8 days later.
The patient's postoperative course was uneventful except for minor pulmonary atelectasis with bacteremia. Hyperthermic perfusion was tolerated well and was evaluated as safe for intracavitary cancer treatment.