[Isolated in situ liver perfusion with high dose 5-fluorouracil in the pig]

A method of isolated liver perfusion (ILP) was developed in pig with a pump-oxygenator and a specially designed catheter. The procedure lasted 60 minutes at room temperature 4 pigs were subjected to perfusion without chemotherapy. 3 survived the procedure with transient elevation of GOT and AKP but with no distinct alterations of GPT, r-GT, total bilirubin, and no pathologic signs of permanent hepatic damage. Nine pigs received a high dose (200 mg/kg) of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) by ILP. 5-FU concentrations of the blood sampled from the hepatic vein and systemic vein were monitored using high-performance liquid chromatography. The average concentrations of 5-FU in the hepatic vein and the systemic vein were 1671.6 micrograms/ml and 5.1 micrograms/ml respectively during perfusions. Three died shortly after perfusion, and 6 survived. Moderate elevations of GPT, GOT, GAKP, and mild decreases of WBC and platelets were noted at the early stage. These abnormalities returned back to normal within 6 days. Liver biopsies showed a few scattering clusters of hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis in surviving animals. Six pigs received 5-FU at a dose of 200 mg/kg through femoral vein and all died within 2 days. It was found that this method was reliable and feasible in regional liver chemotherapy using high dose of 5-FU.