Results of isolated lower limb perfusion for loco-regional advanced/recurrent melanoma using borderline true hyperthermia plus additional bolus of melphalan. A critical analysis of homogeneous cases.

Background And Objective: This study was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of our modified ILP treatment with borderline true hyperthermia and high melphalan concentration in stage III lower limb melanoma.

Methods: Between March 1990 and December 2006, 91 consecutive patients were given ILP treatment. Forty three patients were treated with double L-PAM bolus combined with D-actinomicin; 48 patients were treated with additional L-PAM bolus alone.

Extracorporeal life support for management of refractory cardiac or respiratory failure: initial experience in a tertiary centre.

Introduction: Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) have been indicated as treatment for acute respiratory and/or cardiac failure. Here we describe our first year experience of in-hospital ECLS activity, the operative algorithm and the protocol for centralization of adult patients from district hospitals.

Methods: At a tertiary referral trauma center (Careggi Teaching Hospital, Florence, Italy), an ECLS program was developed from 2008 by the Emergency Department and Heart and Vessel Department ICUs.

Toxicity and morbility after isolated lower limb perfusion in 242 chemo-hyperthermal treatments for cutaneous melanoma: the experience of the Tuscan Reference Centre.

Background: The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the results concerning the regional and systemic toxicity and complications in 242 chemo-hyperthermal treatments (HILPs) for lower limb melanoma.

Patients And Methods: 60 HILPs (G-A) were performed with mild HT plus L-PAM (10 mg/lt) +/- D-actimomycin; 74 HILPs (G-B) with true HT (40-41.8 degrees C) plus L-PAM (10 mg/lt) +/- D-act; 108 HILPs (G-C) with true HT plus L-PAM (10 mg/lt) +/- D-act plus L-PAM (5 mg/lt) additional bolus.

[Integrated therapeutic strategy in large bowel neoplastic occlusion. An innovative therapeutic protocol].

Background: Occlusive complication is a common event in the colo-rectal cancer (20-30% of cases). Operative mortality and 5 yrs survival of not occlusive cancer vs occlusive cancer is 11% vs 23% and 45% vs 25% rispectively. In occlusive cancer the level of parietal infiltration affects considerably the local and peritoneal recurrence.