Pressurized intra-peritoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) via endoscopical microcatheter system

Abstract

Background/Aim: Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) is becoming an increasingly widespread approach for delivering intra-peritoneal chemotherapy (IPC) by means of a chemoaerosol. Currently, the aerosol dispersion is achieved by using a special micropump (MIP®). However, the delivery of a chemoaerosol into the abdominal cavity is not limited to the MIP®. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility, drug penetration and distribution of PIPAC via an established endoscopical microcatheter (MC). Materials and Methods: An established ex vivo PIPAC model containing native fresh tissue samples of swine peritoneum was used to aerosolize doxorubicin at a pressure of 12 mm Hg CO2 at 27 degrees Celsius. On the top cover of the PIPAC chamber a MC device was installed via trocar. Tissue specimens were placed as follows: at the bottom of the plastic box (A), at the side wall (B), at the top (C) and the covered bottom (D) of the box. In-tissue doxorubicin penetration was measured using fluorescence microscopy on frozen thin sections. Results: The mean depth of doxorubicin penetration was found to be significantly higher in tissue directly exposed to the aerosol jet. All samples had contact with doxorubicin. Penetration rates were: A: 348 (+/– 47 μm), B: 174 (+/– 64 μm), C: 92 (+/–27 μm) and D: 84 (+/– 45) μm. Conclusion: Our ex vivo data suggest that PIPAC can be delivered via MC device. While local drug penetration is practically congruent to known PIPAC performance with MIP®, the MC offers a feasible, flexible, easy to handle and economic improvement compared to conventional PIPAC.