[Scintigraphic method to test the function of intraperitoneal draining catheters for regional intraabdominal...

Intraoperative peritoneal chemohyperthermia (IPCH) followed by one or more courses of closed intraperitoneal chemotherapy via peritonealdialysis-catheter (Zellermann) is a promising concept for treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis.

To prove the functionality of the catheter a scintigraphic method is introduced using a liquid solution of sodium chloride-- Tc-99m-Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Tc-99m-DTPA) (500 ml). This study was aimed to look for problems over the period of application and to measure the intraperitoneal distribution and resorption of the fluid.

One leakage and 3 revisible obstructions occured in 26 applications done in 20 patients. The upper right and the central abdomen was not reached as extensive as the other regions. The abdomen was divided into 9 regions of equal size. In 4 out of 19 patients (20%) the fluid tracer was missed in more than 3 regions (up to 40% of the total area).

It is to early to decide whether methological modifications are necessary in these cases, but closed chemotherapies in patients with maldistribution may not be indicated. This will be in particular necessary if there is a relation between the maldistribution and the location of recurrencies. The demonstrated simple scintigraphic method, however, is able to recognize patients at risk.