[Anaesthesia in Electrochemotherapy]

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a symptom control method for inoperable or exulcerating cutaneous metastases or skin cancer. With the help of electroporation, an enhancement of the efficacy of the administered chemotherapeutic agent, bleomycin or cisplatin, is achieved, which leads to a local reduction of the metastases and thereby has a low impact on the systemic health.ECT can be performed under local, regional or general anaesthesia, whereby the form of anaesthesia depends on the number and extent of the metastases as well as the affected body site. For general anaesthesia, there are some special aspects to consider. To prevent lung damage from bleomycin, the patient has to be ventilated with a low FiO₂ (< 0.3), or preferably with room air. To avoid drug interactions and postoperative pain, general anaesthesia is performed as TIVA in deep relaxation. The anaesthesia team should be aware of the necessary precautions when applying chemotherapeutic agents and should recognize contraindications to performing anaesthesia in ECT in advance.