Effect of antimicrobial protection on tolerance to hepatic chemoembolization with a fibrous collagen carrier

The effect of antimicrobial prophylaxis on tolerance to hepatic embolization and chemoembolization with collagen particles was examined in porcine liver. Embolization in the 36 animals consisted of hepatic artery injection of 3 mL of collagen (10 mg/mL) alone or combined with one to three drugs (cisplatin, mitomycin, and doxorubicin). Embolization was performed with or without antimicrobial protection, and the animals were killed at 5 days for gross and histologic evaluation of liver and for bacterial culture. When present, liver damage consisted of focal to whole-lobe necrosis. Liver damage was correlated with positive bacterial culture (P less than .002) and was reduced by antimicrobial protection. Vessel recanalization was inhibited by addition of drug to collagen (P less than .001) and by lack of antimicrobial protection (P less than .001). Perivascular necrosis was directly related to vessel size (P = .0001). Antimicrobial prophylaxis is recommended to enhance hepatic chemoembolization safety.