Usefulness of hand-assisted retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for extreme obese patients -a case report.

We report a case of retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) in which the addition of a hand port was necessary and effective. A 52-year-old man with obesity (BMI 40.6 kg/m2) was diagnosed with a 52-mm left renal cell carcinoma (cT1bN0M0). To avoid thick subcutaneous and visceral fat in the abdomen, we selected LRN using a retroperitoneal approach with four ports in the kidney position. During surgery, a large amount of flank pad and perirenal fat prevented us from securing a sufficient surgical field through traction of the kidney with a retractor. A pure laparoscopic procedure was not feasible;therefore, we added a hand port. Subsequently, we removed the flank pad from the hand port and secured the surgical field by tracing the kidney manually. Finally, hand-assisted LRN was completed without an open conversion. In retroperitoneal LRN, we rarely encounter patients for whom a pure laparoscopic procedure is not feasible because of the large amount of flank pad or perirenal fat. It is important to preoperatively confirm not only the BMI but also the amount of flank pad and perirenal fat on imaging. Hand-assisted LRN via the retroperitoneal approach can be safely performed even in extremely obese patients. J. Med. Invest. 71 : 187-190, February, 2024.

Preoperative rapid growth of inferior vena cava tumor thrombus in renal cell carcinoma.

Introduction: We present the case of a rapidly growing inferior vena cava tumor thrombus in renal cell carcinoma. Case presentation: We present a case of a 66-year-old woman with right renal cell carcinoma with a tumor thrombus extending 2 cm into the inferior vena cava on an initial Imaging. Radical surgery was performed 6 weeks after the first visit. Intraoperatively, the tumor thrombus was confirmed to have grown near the diaphragm. The tumor was resected using an inferior vena cava clamping just below the diaphragm. The tumor thrombus and renal cell carcinoma were completely removed. There was no recurrence 6 months postoperatively. Conclusion: Inferior vena cava tumor thrombus in renal cell carcinoma can grow in a short period, suggesting that preoperative imaging evaluation at the appropriate time is important. Once inferior vena cava tumor thrombus of renal cell carcinoma occurs, surgery should not be delayed unless there is an urgent reason.

Obstructive azoospermia caused by epididymis injury with testicle rupture on the other side.

Background: Epididymal injuries without ipsilateral injuries of the testicles are rare. We report a case of a solitary right epididymal injury complicated by left testicular rupture. Case Presentation: A 21-year-old man experienced scrotal trauma caused by a motorcycle accident. Bilateral swelling and tenderness of the scrotum were observed. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a ruptured left testicle; therefore, surgery was performed. During surgery, the left testicle was excised because it was completely ruptured, and the right testicle and epididymis were evaluated to identify the cause of swelling of the right scrotum. The right testis was not injured; however, the right epididymis was lacerated. Subsequently, the lacerated right epididymis was repaired using sutures. A semen analysis performed at 1, 4, and 7 months after surgery revealed the absence of sperm in the semen. Conclusion: Epididymal injuries should be considered as differential diagnoses for scrotal trauma.

Early and post-treatment imaging findings in perineural spread: a pathway to diffuse muscle metastasis in recurrent bladder carcinoma.

Perineural spread (PNS) from pelvic carcinoma has been regarded as a pathway to muscle and bone metastasis. However, few cases have been reported, especially in patients with bladder carcinoma. In the present report, we discuss a case of diffuse cancer involvement in the muscle 5 years after radical cystectomy for advanced bladder carcinoma. Careful observation of temporal changes on medical images confirmed PNS as the pathway to muscle metastasis (i.e., primary PNS). Our report presents early and post-treatment CT, MRI and FDG-PET/CT findings of PNS from the bladder carcinoma.

Failure of Hem-o-lok clips used on a renal artery after laparoscopic renal surgery.

Hem-o-lok clips are commonly used for renal artery ligation in laparoscopic renal surgery. However, failure of the renal artery ligation clips is potentially fatal. A 61-year-old man underwent hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy using a retroperitoneal approach for left ureteral carcinoma. One hour postoperatively, he was diagnosed with hemorrhagic shock. An immediate laparotomy revealed two closed, undamaged Hem-o-lok clips around the left renal artery. Pulsatile bleeding was observed, and the renal artery was immediately ligated with non-absorbable thread. We determined that the failure of the Hem-o-lok clips on the renal artery was caused by the lack of space between the two Hem-o-lok clips and the distal renal artery cuff beyond the distal clip. To prevent a potentially fatal failure of the renal artery ligation clips, one should maintain a sufficient space between the Hem-o-lok clips and an adequate distal renal artery cuff beyond the distal clip. J. Med. Invest. 68 : 393-395, August, 2021.

Prostatic abscess with infected aneurysms and spondylodiscitis after transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy is the conventional method of diagnosing prostate cancer. TRUS-guided prostate biopsy can occasionally be associated with severe complications. Here, we report the first case of a prostate abscess with aneurysms and spondylodiscitis as a complication of TRUS-guided prostate biopsy, and we review the relevant literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 78-year-old man presented with back pain, sepsis, and prostate abscesses. Twenty days after TRUS-guided prostate biopsy, he was found to have a 20-mm diameter abdominal aortic aneurysm that expanded to 28.2 mm in the space of a week, despite antibiotic therapy. Therefore, he underwent transurethral resection of the prostate to control prostatic abscesses. Although his aneurysm decreased to 23 mm in size after surgery, he continued to experience back pain. He was diagnosed as having pyogenic spondylitis and this was managed using a lumbar corset. Sixty-four days after the prostate biopsy, the aneurysm had re-expanded to 30 mm; therefore, we performed endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) using a microcore stent graft 82 days after the biopsy. Four days after the EVAR, the patient developed acute cholecystitis, and he underwent endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage. One hundred and sixty days after the prostate biopsy, all the complications had improved, and he was discharged. A literature review identified a further six cases of spondylodiscitis that had occurred after transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: We have reported the first case of a complication of TRUS-guided prostate biopsy that involved prostatic abscesses, aneurysms, and spondylodiscitis. Although such complications are uncommon, clinicians should be aware of the potential for such severe complications of this procedure to develop.

Safety of Abiraterone Acetate Administration in Elderly Patients Receiving Peritoneal Dialysis with Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Two Case Reports.

We report two elderly patients receiving peritoneal dialysis with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Herein, we show that the patients were safely treated using abiraterone acetate (750 mg/day orally once daily) and prednisolone (5 mg/day orally once daily). Although the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level increased in both cases, there was no manifestation of disease progression (clinical and radiographic) for 22 months in case 1 and 8 months in case 2. In case 2, the only adverse event was hypokalemia, which was treated using potassium preparations.

Dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 2 (DYRK2) as a novel marker in T1 high-grade and T2 bladder cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: To investigate associations between dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 2 (DYRK2) expression and survival in T1 high-grade or T2 bladder cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: The cohort under investigation comprised 44 patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy for pT1 high-grade or pT2N0M0 bladder cancer at our institution between 2002 and 2011. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to determine expression of DYRK2 in bladder cancer specimens obtained by transurethral resection before chemotherapy. Relationships between DYRK2 expression and both response to chemotherapy and survival in these patients were analyzed. RESULTS: DYRK2 expression was positive in 21 of 44 patients (47.7 %) and negative in 23 patients (52.3 %). In total, 20 of 21 DYRK2-positive cases showed complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, whereas 11 of 23 DYRK2-negative cases did not show complete response. Sensitivity and specificity were 62.5 % and 91.7 %, respectively (P = 0.0018). In addition, disease-specific survival rate was significantly higher for DYRK2-positive patients than for DYRK2-negative patients (P = 0.017). In multivariate analysis, DYRK2 expression level was identified as an independent prognostic factor for disease-specific survival (P = 0.029). We also showed that DYRK2 mRNA expression was significantly higher in DYRK2-positive samples by immunohistochemistry than DYRK2-negative samples (P = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: DYRK2 expression level may predict the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for T1 high-grade and T2 bladder cancer.

Efficacy of a thermoexpandable metallic prostate stent (Memokath) in elderly patients with urethral obstruction requiring long-term management with urethral Foley catheters.

AIM: To investigate whether the insertion of a thermoexpandable metallic prostate stent (Memokath) facilitates the removal of Foley catheters in elderly patients ineligible for urethral obstruction surgery because of the potential complications involved in long-term catheter management. METHODS: A total of 37 male patients (mean age 79.8 ± 6.2 years) ineligible for surgery under general anesthesia because of advanced age, the presence of post-cerebrovascular disorders or anticoagulant therapy use and who subsequently had a Memokath stent inserted between June 2007 and November 2009 were enrolled in the present study. Patients with spinal injury were excluded. We compared the correlation between prostatic urethral length and total prostate volume (TPV). We also evaluated the postoperative postvoid residual (PVR) and presence of pyuria, and reviewed postoperative complications and unassisted urination ability. RESULTS: We found a positive correlation between prostatic urethral length and TPV. After the insertion of the Memokath stent, the catheters were removed from all patients who could urinate unassisted. The PVR was <50 mL in 76.4% patients, and there was a 52% improvement in pyuria after insertion of the Memokath stent. The mean postoperative follow-up duration was 33.2 ± 16.7 months. A total of 21 patients (56.7%) were able to urinate unassisted after receiving the Memokath stent. Unassisted urination was difficult in patients with poor performance status. No serious complications were observed after insertion of the Memokath stent. CONCLUSIONS: The Memokath stent was safe and useful for elderly patients with urethral obstruction and good performance status requiring long-term management with urethral Foley catheters.

Negative-balance isolated pelvic perfusion in patients with incurable symptomatic rectal cancer: results and drug dose correlation to adverse events.

BACKGROUND: Drug leakage and lack of a drug-removal system have prevented clinical application of isolated pelvic perfusion (IPP). These barriers were overcome with negative-balance IPP (NIPP) in experimental pig models. Here, a phase 1 clinical study of NIPP was performed in patients with incurable symptomatic rectal cancer. PURPOSE: To establish a safe regimen of high-dose regional chemotherapy with NIPP using cisplatin in patients with incurable rectal cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between June 2004 and January 2007, NIPP therapy was performed for 23 patients (11 women, 12 men; mean age, 58 years). NIPP was routinely performed twice over a 4-week interval. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were defined using a 5 + 3 design, and cisplatin doses were escalated from 170 mg/m(2), with a fixed 5-fluorouracil dose of 1000 mg/m(2). The grade of adverse events (AEs) at the first and second sessions of NIPP therapy, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor response were evaluated. RESULTS: No DLTs were observed during the first session of NIPP. However, at the second session, two patients experienced the DLT of neuropathy after administration of 200 mg/m(2) cisplatin. Therefore, 190 mg/m(2) cisplatin was indicated as the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). The plasma pelvic-to-systemic exposure ratio was 18.4 based on the maximum concentration and 19.0 based on the concentration-time curve. Solid tumor responses included complete response in two patients, partial response in five patients, stable disease in 15 patients, and progressive disease in one patient. CONCLUSION: NIPP may offer the safe delivery of high-dose regional chemotherapy (MTD of 190 mg/m(2) cisplatin) with negligible AEs and effective control of tumor growth in patients with incurable rectal cancer.

Snail expression and outcome in T1 high-grade and T2 bladder cancer: a retrospective immunohistochemical analysis.

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been shown to have benefit in T1 high-grade or T2 bladder cancer. However, neoadjuvant chemotherapy fails in some patients. Careful patient selection for neoadjuvant chemotherapy is therefore needed. Several reports show that Snail is associated with resistance to chemotherapy. We hypothesized that Snail expression could predict survival in T1 high-grade and T2 bladder cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: The participants were 44 patients with T1 high-grade and T2 bladder cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to determine Snail expression in specimens of bladder cancer obtained by transurethral resection before neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The relationships between Snail expression and patients' outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Snail expression was positive in 15 of the 44 patients (34.1%) and negative in 29 (65.9%). Disease-free survival was significantly shorter for the Snail-positive group than for the Snail-negative group (p = 0.014). In addition, disease-specific survival was also significantly shorter for the Snail-positive group than for the Snail-negative group (p = 0.039). In multivariate analysis, Snail expression level was identified as an independent prognostic factor for disease-specific survival (p = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that Snail expression may predict poor outcome in T1 high-grade and T2 bladder cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Memokath(TM) urethral stents induce incontinence in patients with urethral balloon catheters.

OBJECTIVE: With an aging society, elderly patients increasingly require long-term placement of urethral balloon catheters. In this study, we investigated if Memokath(TM) urethral stents, when inserted from the bladder neck to distal to the urethral sphincter in elderly men being treated with urethral balloon catheters, induce incontinence, which would then be managed with adult briefs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of all outpatients who were being managed with urethral balloon catheters at our institution from September 2011 through March 2012, 4 patients who had had problems with the catheters were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were a performance status of 1 or 2 and the ability to urinate after standard placement of the stent. After application of local anesthesia to the urethra, the Memokath(TM) stent was placed distal to the urethral sphincter under radiographic guidance in all patients. RESULTS: After stent placement, all patients had total incontinence and were catheter-free. Although 2 patients were receiving anticoagulant therapy before the procedure, no intraprocedural or postprocedural anticoagulant-related complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Memokath(TM) stent-induced incontinence is a safe and effective treatment for patients requiring long-term placement of urethral balloon catheters who are expected to have continuing urination difficulties.

[A case of testicular tumor with inferior vena cava thrombus].

A 31-year-old man presented with edema in left lower leg and dyspnea. Computed tomographic scanning detected a right testicular tumor, multiple lung nodules, and inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus. After insertion of an IVC filter, high inguinal orchiectomy was performed after the first combination chemotherapy. Pathological examination demonstrated an embryonal carcinoma with vascular invasion and direct tumoral extension into the right spermatic cord. According to our survey, this is the 14th case of testicular tumor with IVC thrombus in Japan.

The negative-balance isolated pelvic perfusion method using ultrahigh-dose cisplatin for invasive bladder cancer with poor risk.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to evaluate the clinical significance of the negative-balance isolated pelvic perfusion (NIPP) method using ultrahigh-dose cisplatin (CDDP) for ten cases of invasive bladder cancer with poor risk such as high-grade cancer, advanced clinical stage, or appearance of hydronephrosis. METHODS: A CDDP dosage of 200-300 mg/body was used under the NIPP method. To confirm safety and efficacy, peripheral blood, pelvic arterial blood, pelvic venous blood, and urine were collected for sampling of the platinum (Pt) concentrations. These samples were investigated and compared with those following previous intraarterial chemotherapy sessions. RESULTS: The Pt concentrations in pelvic blood under intraarterial chemotherapy and NIPP were 5.97 ± 2.06 and 24.15 ± 4.61 µg/ml, respectively. By contrast, the Pt concentration in peripheral blood under NIPP was half the level under conventional intraarterial chemotherapy. No severe adverse events were found in terms of gastrointestinal and hematological toxicity, but renal function was impaired in some cases. Pathological or surgical complete response (CR) was achieved in five of ten cases (50%) in spite of the group being poor risk, and bladder preservation was possible in all the CR cases. Patients with CR experienced survival in all terms of observation. CONCLUSIONS: The NIPP method was able to deliver high levels of CDDP concentration in pelvis cavity without severe adverse events. The NIPP method makes it possible to achieve CR for the patients with invasive bladder cancer with poor risk who rejected cystectomy.

Changes in pelvic and systemic platinum concentrations during negative-balance isolated pelvic perfusion: correlation between platinum concentration and method of administration in a pig model.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of altering the method of administration during negative-balance isolated pelvic perfusion (NIPP) on the platinum concentration in the pelvic or systemic circulation. METHODS: Twenty female pigs were used in this study. The abdominal aorta and the infra-renal vena cava were occluded with two balloon catheters and blood in the extracorporeal circuit was circulated with twin rotary pumps. NIPP was then performed with cisplatin (5 mg/kg) in 15 pigs. Three types of NIPP administration method (group A: 1 bolus, B: 2 same doses boluses, C: 3 same doses boluses) were used, five pigs being subjected to each treatment. The remaining five pigs were administered cisplatin systemically as a control study (group D). The platinum concentrations in the pelvic and systemic circulation were measured and compared. RESULTS: (1) Pelvic circulation: There was a tendency for the platinum concentration to increase as the bolus time decreased. The platinum concentration in groups A and B was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that in group C. Significant differences (P < 0.05) between groups A and B until 10 min after the start of NIPP. (2) Systemic circulation: Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed between NIPP groups and D during NIPP. The platinum concentration in group D was five times higher than that in group C. (3) Plasma pelvic to systemic exposure ratio: there were no significant differences among the three NIPP groups. CONCLUSIONS: The platinum concentrations in the pelvic and systemic circulation increased as the bolus time decreased. The plasma pelvic to systemic exposure ratio was not influenced by bolus time.

[The clinical status of prostate cancer in elderly patients 75 years of age or older in the Kitamurayama District of Yamagata Prefecture, Japan].

To evaluate the present status of prostate cancer in patients 75 years of age or older, we reviewed clinical characteristics of prostate cancer in patients from the Kitamurayama Hospital. The number of symptomatic advanced cases was greater in patients > or = 75 years old compared with patients < or = 74 years old. However, no significant difference in cause-specific survival rate was found between the two groups. In the cases examined, the difference in biological characteristics between groups did not affect the prognosis. On the other hand, for patients > or = 75 years old, improvement of urinary retention was low, and the incidence of adverse drug responses to endocrine therapy, such as dementia and thrombosis, was high. We recognize the necessity of a comprehensive medical plan that attaches importance to quality of life and safety for the treatment of patients over 75 years old with prostate cancer.

Study of prostatic fluid from patients with elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen.

INTRODUCTION: Characteristics of prostatic fluid (PF), which can be obtained in large amounts during screening transrectal ultrasound just before prostate biopsy to detect prostate cancer, were investigated. These characteristics include the amount of PF obtained and the number of leukocytes in PF, which would be useful for planning cell-biological or immunological studies of leukocytes in PF and for increasing the understanding of prostatitis in elderly men. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The volume of PF and the number of leukocytes in PF were measured in 50 patients suspected of having prostate cancer because of elevated levels of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Correlations of the volume of PF, the number of leukocytes per milliliter, the total leukocyte number with age and prostate volume and correlation of PSA levels with the number of leukocytes per milliliter and total leukocyte number were also investigated. RESULTS: The average patient age was 67.2 years, and PF specimens were obtained from 43 of the 50 patients (86%). The mean +/- SD of PF volume, number of leukocytes in PF, and total leukocyte number were 347.65 +/- 305.76 microl, 4.84 +/- 6.07 x 10(6) /ml, and 1.47 +/- 2.10 x 10(6), respectively. A correlation was observed only between the total leukocyte number and the volume of the transitional zone (P=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: These data provide information for investigators to plan cell-biological or immunological studies of leukocytes in PF and for understanding prostatitis in elderly men.

Random systematic sextant biopsy versus power doppler ultrasound-guided target biopsy in the diagnosis of prostate cancer: positive rate and clinicopathological features.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of power Doppler ultrasound (PDU)in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, the rate of detection of cancer with PDU-guided target biopsy and sextant biopsy, the clinicopathological features of cancer positive specimens, and the relation between these two findings were studied. METHODS: From January 1998 through March 2000, 302 men suspected to have prostate cancer underwent sextant biopsy in association with additional PDU-guided target biopsy. Cases with positive biopsy results were divided into 9 groups as follows: T0: sextant biopsy was positive, but target biopsy was negative; S0: all sextant biopsies were negative, but target biopsy was positive; S1 approximately S6: both sextant biopsy and target biopsy were positive (number indicates number of positive sextant biopsy); Tx: sextant biopsy was positive, but no target biopsy was performed owing to a lack of echogenic abnormalities. The Gleason score (GS) and percent organ confined disease (%OCD) were compared between these 9 groups. RESULTS: Cancer was pathologically detected in 143 of 302 patients (47.4%). PDU detected 39 of 49 digital rectal examination-negative cancers (79.6%) and 5 of 13 transrectal ultrasound-negative isoechoic cancers (38.5%). Of 143 biopsy-positive cases, 6 were in the T0 group (4.2%), 10 in S0 (7.0%), 119 in S1 approximately S6 (83.2%), and 8 in Tx (5.6%). Target biopsy missed 14 (sum of T0 and Tx) cancers, and sextant biopsy missed 10 (S0). The average GS in the Tx group was significantly lower than that in the other groups; consequently, the %OCD was significantly higher. Retrospective analysis revealed that the failure to obtain cancer tissue in 4 of the 6 cases in the T0 group is most likely due to technical failure in obtaining specimens. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of PDU were 90.2%, 77.4%, 78.2%, 89.8% and 83.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: PDU in association with sextant biopsy is a useful tool for increasing the rate of detection of prostate cancer. Further advances in ultrasound technology may enable the detection of prostate cancer by target biopsy alone and consequently may reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies. However, PDU-guided target biopsy alone is insufficient for cancer detection at the present time because of possible technical failure in obtaining specimens and the existence of PDU-negative cancer. Although more evidence is required, PDU-negative cancer is suggested to be less aggressive clinically, possibly justifying a watch and wait policy.

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist monotherapy for prostate cancer: outcome and prognostic factors.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the outcome and prognostic factors in men with prostate cancer after luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist monotherapy. METHODS: Between April 1998 and August 2002, 62 men with prostate cancer who were treated with monotherapy at our institution were included in this analysis. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure-free (bNED) survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier methods. Prognostic factors were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: We reviewed the data of patients, with a median follow-up from the commencement of monotherapy of 26 months. The overall survival rate at 3 years was 89.9%. The bNED survival rate was 63.7% at 3 years. Of the 20 patients with clinical stage B, 2 progressed to PSA failure, whereas PSA failure was seen in 8 of 30 patients with stage C and 8 of 12 patients with stage D. The significant factors for bNED status were an initial PSA level of <30 ng/ml (p=0.0044), achievement of PSA nadir level of <2.0 ng/ml (p<0.001), and Gleason score of or=30 ng/ml, and high Gleason score of >or=7 are at increased risk for PSA failure. Failure to achieve PSA nadir level of <2.0 ng/ml is an important predictor of the progression. The use of PSA nadir can provide useful guidelines for the reconsideration of treatment in patients who have received monotherapy.

Reduction of drug leakage by negative-balance isolated pelvic perfusion: correlation between leakage and in-out flow rate in a pig model.

PURPOSE: Isolated pelvic perfusion (IPP) therapy exposes target tissues to high doses of anticancer drugs with low systemic concentrations, but the major drawback is drug leakage into the systemic circulation, which often thwarts the increased drug concentration. In this study, the efficacy of altering the in-out flow rate during IPP in order to decrease the leakage was assessed in adult pigs. METHODS: The abdominal aorta and the infrarenal vena cava were occluded with two balloon catheters, blood in the extracorporeal circuit was circulated with twin rotary pumps, and the IPP was performed with platinum. Three sets of in-out flow rates were used, and the degree of drug leakage into the systemic circulation was evaluated. The volume of blood withdrawn was equal to the volume returned (300 ml/min; group A), 5% higher (group B), or 10% higher (group C). The platinum concentrations in the pelvic circulation, systemic circulation, and urine were measured and compared. RESULTS: The average and maximum plasma platinum concentrations in the pelvic circulation did not significantly differ among the three groups. The plasma platinum concentrations in the systemic venous circulation of the three groups significantly (P<0.01) decreased as the volume withdrawn during IPP increased. The percentage of platinum eliminated in the urine during IPP was significantly (P<0.01) lower in group B and C than in group A. CONCLUSIONS: Setting the volume withdrawn higher than the volume returned decreased leakage into the systemic circulation under isolated pelvic perfusion.