COMPARISON OF 2 DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF HYALURONIDASE IN PATIENTSRECEIVING ONE-HOUR INFUSIONS OF HYPODERMOCLYSIS

The purpose of this randomized doube-blind study was to compare 300 un its of hyaluronidase per one-half liter to 150 units per one-half lite r in patients receiving brief infusions for subcutaneous hydration. Tw enty-five eualuable patients were randomized to receive a local inject ion of 300 units ofhyaluronidase or 150 units of hyaluronidase immedia tely before two 1-hr infusions of two-thirds dextrose 5% and one-third normal saline solution (500 cc volume). The following day a crossover took place, and patients received the alternate treatment before each of the two 2-hr infusions. The intensity and swelling as reported by the patient (visual analogue scale 0-100), and the intensity of edema and rash as assessed by the investigator (score 0-4) were not signific antly different between groups. The patients' and investigators' final choice was also not significantly different Patients could not distin guish between bolus and their previous experience with overnight clysi s. Our results suggest that brief infusions are well tolerated for sub cutaneous hydration of patients with advanced cancer A concentration o f 150 units of hyaluronidase per one-half liter is well tolerated in t his population.