DYE-INJECTION METHOD FOR PLACEMENT OF AN INFUSION CATHETER IN REGIONAL HEPATIC CHEMOTHERAPY

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of a dye-injection method in the p lacement of an infusion catheter and port via proximal branches of the axillary artery for hepatic infusion chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METH ODS: Sixteen patients with surgically unresectable hepatic cancer unde rwent transfemoral hepatic arteriography. Then a 3-F coaxial catheter was inserted into a proximal branch of the left axiallary artery. Dye injected through the coaxial catheter during the surgical procedure im proved the visualization of the target branch. The coaxial catheter wa s also used as a guide for retrograde insertion through the target bra nch of an infusion catheter into the descending aorta. RESULTS: In 13 of 16 patients (81%), catheterization was successful without exposure of the axillary artery. In these patients, the acromial-deltoid branch of the thoracoacromial artery was chosen as the target. CONCLUSION: I njection of dye simplifies the surgical procedure for placement of a h epatic infusion catheter via proximal branches of the axillary artery. The depth and extent of incisions, as well as the risk of nerve injur y, are reduced.