Objectives: Intraperitoneal hyperthermic perfusion chemotherapy (IPCH) is a complex method used for the treatment of the ovarian cancer. During the procedure, chemotherapeutic agent is administrated into the peritoneal cavity using continuous perfusion and hyperthermic conditions.
Design: This experiment was performed to simulate the main features of IPCH and to determine the hydrodynamic characteristics of this method in the laboratory conditions.
Materials and methods: The model was made in a natural scale, regarding the anatomical proportions. In order to establish the dispersive properties of the model we determined the distribution of the tracer as a function of the drains' location and intensity of flow.
Results and conclusions: The important practical conclusion of the study is that the most advantageous variant is 'slanted' location of inflow and outflow drains. It is also possible to confirm that the hydrodynamic features applied during IPCH enable adequate drug distribution in the peritoneal cavity. The employed location of drains could be reconsider including the possibility of introducing cyclic flow direction alteration (increasing the dispersive properties of the system). We would like thank the Department of Cardiacthoracic Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark for lending the peristaltic pump.