Long-term functional outcome after hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion (HILP)

One of the biological characteristics of melanoma is the locoregional development of metastases that are difficult to treat by conventional tumour mass reduction. Locoregionally metastasised melanoma of the limb can effectively be treated by hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion (HILP). Postoperative complication rates are acceptable. Only few studies have examined long-term complications. This is the reason why we followed up patients in respect of long-term physical and psychological complications after HILP.

312 patients with melanoma of the limb underwent HILP in our department between 1977 and 1983. Eighty-two patients that were still alive and no older than 80 years at the time of follow-up were contacted and invited to a physical examination. On average, follow-up took place 20 years after HILP. Thirty-nine patients were willing to participate in the study. Twelve of these patients were male and 27 female. The average age was 63.1 years (range 41 to 79). The average age at the point of perfusion was 42.1 years (range 19 to 59). In 10 cases the upper extremity was involved, in 29 patients the lower extremity. Patients were questioned on impairment of daily life and their health status using a standardised questionnaire. A physical examination was performed to document the impairments quantitatively. Ranges of motion, circumference and neurological deficits of the operated limbs were compared to the healthy limbs.

At the time of follow-up examination all patients were without recurrent disease. A definite correlation between impairment of the general health condition and the operation could only be found in one patient with persisting lymph oedema. Thirteen patients still wore elastic stockings during the day, 9 of which regularly underwent lymphatic drainage. Most of the patients (58%) saw an improvement of their condition due to the treatment. 67% of the patients reported not having any or only slight impairment of everyday life. Only a few cases had disadvantages in their social and working life due to the perfusion. The physical examination of the upper limb showed an impaired range of motion of the shoulder in all planes in 50% of the patients. Relevant decrease in range of motion in the elbow was seen in two patients. The other examination results showed no significant differences in comparison to the healthy arm. The analysis of the lower limb showed relevant clinical reduction of range of motion in all three major joints. Significant differences were also found in the circumference of the leg compared to the healthy side.

According to our results and results from the literature it was possible to show that hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion is associated with an elevated risk of persisting impairment of range of motion of the treated limb. The impaired function is due to a persistent swelling of the limb because of lymph oedema on the one hand and local toxicity to the ligaments of the joints on the other. Response rates and results of HILP have greatly improved in the last years due to numerous modifications so that this treatment is the method of choice in locoregionally metastasised melanoma of the limb in spite of the long-term complication rate.