Tourniquet infusion chemotherapy in extremities with malignant lesions.

Tourniquet infusion chemotherapy involves the direct injection of a chemotherapeutic drug into the main artery of an extremity with prior application of an external tourniquet proximally on this extremity set at above the level of systolic pressure for ten minutes. Thus, the drug is not diluted and pushed by the blood into the venous circulation before diffusion into the tissues has occurred. This technique, applied in seven patients for a total of 40 instances, proved to be safe. Skin erythema and blisters, which are reversible, occur in the treated area. Complete clinical regression was achieved in all six patients with evaluable tumor, with high percentages of tumor necrosis. It was possible to avoid amputation in five of the seven patients treated. This technique appears superior to perfusion, but the long term permanence of regression has not yet been ascertained.