Perugia Hospital introduces isolated limb infusion for melanoma

The Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia has introduced a new therapeutic option for melanoma patients through the implementation of Isolated Limb Infusion (ILI). This minimally invasive procedure allows for the administration of high doses of chemotherapy directly to the affected limb.

By temporarily isolating the blood circulation of the limb from the rest of the body using percutaneous methods, the treatment concentrates the medication in the target area. This approach aims to maximize local efficacy while minimizing the systemic exposure of the patient's entire organism to the drug's side effects.

The technique, originally developed at the Melanoma Institute Australia, was performed in the hybrid operating room of the Moggi block. The procedure involved a multidisciplinary team including specialists in soft tissue surgery, vascular surgery, medical oncology, anesthesiology, and nuclear medicine.