Low surface contamination by cis/oxaliplatin during hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)

AimThe aim of this study was to evaluate contamination by platinum drugs in the operating room during hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).MethodsEnvironmental sampling of 151 wipe samples from surfaces on the HIPEC devices and operating room floors was performed for platinum in six German hospitals during 19 HIPEC procedures. Additionally, 45 wipe samples from surgeons’ and perfusionists’ protective gloves were analyzed.ResultsPlatinum concentrations from the HIPEC devices and operating room floors ranged from 0.07 to 110,000 pg/cm2 (Median: 1.5 pg/cm2) with high contamination on the regulation knob and reservoir after HIPEC procedure, particularly when injecting the cytostatic drug into the reservoir via syringe. Samples from perfusionists’ and surgeons’ protective gloves ranged between 0.01 and 729 ng/pair.ConclusionsAlthough sporadically high platinum concentrations on surfaces on the HIPEC device and operating room floor were detected, our study revealed that low surface loads are definitely possible and can be documented by wipe samples. Important factors for achieving low surface contamination are the use of infusion bags instead of syringes for injection of the cytostatic solution, careful cleaning of the device after HIPEC and wearing of two pairs of gloves.