[Regional perfusion of the extremity - experience in 81 patients with malignant melanomas (author's transl)]

From December 1978 through December 1980 a total of 81 patients with malignant melanoma of the extremities were treated by local excision, isolated regional hyperthermic perfusion and regional lymphadenectomy. The extracorporeal circuit was primed with 650 ml whole blood. Flow rates for the lower extremity were 494 +/- 38 ml/min. and 273 +/- 66 ml/min. For the upper extremity. The systemic pressure was 80 +/- 15 mm Hg. Limb temperatures were elevated to 42 degrees C. Intraoperatively there was one case of intima dissection, but no other serious complications. Post operatively one patient died one the 19th day due to congestive heart failure and in one patient a temporary loss of peroneal nerve function was noted. Delay in wound-healing was seen in five patients and 70 patients developed transitory erythema of the extremities. 75 patients are alive and free of disease. Of the 33 patients who underwent more than one operation prior to perfusion, six developed local recurrences or in-transit lesions.