Ideal Nozzle Position During Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy in an Ex Vivo Model.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) is known to show uneven distribution and penetration of agents based on the nozzle position. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the ideal nozzle position for maximizing drug delivery during PIPAC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We created 2 cm-, 4 cm- and 8 cm-ex vivo models according to the distance from the bottom to the nozzle using 21×15×16 cm-sized sealable plastic boxes. After each set of eight normal peritoneal tissues from swine were placed at eight different points (A to H), we performed PIPAC, compared the methylene blue staining areas to investigate the distribution, and estimated the depth of concentrated diffusion (DCD) and the depth of maximal diffusion (DMD) of doxorubicin. RESULTS: In terms of distribution, the 4 cm- and 8 cm-ex vivo models showed more stained faces than the 2 cm-ex vivo model. Regarding the penetration depth, the 4 cm- ex vivo model showed the highest DCD (mean; 244.1 µm, C; 105.1 µm, D; 80.9 µm, E; 250.2 µm, G; 250.2 µm, H) and DMD (mean; 174.8 µm, D; 162.7 µm, E; 511.7 µm, F; 522.2 µm, G; 528.1 µm, H) in the most points corresponding to 62.5%. CONCLUSION: The ideal nozzle position during PIPAC might be halfway between the nozzle inlet and the bottom in the ex vivo model.