Adriamycin extravasation: surgical treatment and possible prevention of skin and soft-tissue injuries.

In a material consisting of approximately 6,000 injections of Adriamycin during a 2-year period, eleven moderate and five severe extravasation injuries have been observed. Even a small leakage of the drug may cause a permanent lesion. The most serious injuries were caused by large doses and on the dorsum of the hand. Plastic surgical operations were successfully performed in the severe cases. An active surgical intervention after primary neutralization of the extravasated Adriamycin is recommended.