Efficacy of a Glass Membrane Emulsification Device to Form Mixture of Cisplatin Powder with Lipiodol on Transarterial Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose To examine physiochemical characteristics and drug release properties of cisplatin powder and lipiodol mixtures formed by a glass membrane emulsification device compared with a 3-way stopcock. Materials and Methods Seven different types of mixtures were evaluated: cisplatin powder and lipiodol directly mixed (suspension), complete cisplatin solution and lipiodol mixed by a 3-way stopcock or the device (emulsion), incomplete cisplatin solution and lipiodol mixed by a 3-way stopcock or the device (solid-in-water emulsion), and contrast material and cisplatin suspension mixed by a 3-way stopcock or the device (solid-in-oil emulsion). Result The percentages of water-in-oil were 98.08 ± 0.27% in the emulsion formed by the device, while 70.3 ± 4.63% in the emulsion formed by a 3-way stopcock ( P = 0.037). Solid-in-water and solid-in-oil emulsions formed by the device showed 98.09 ± 0.38% and 98.70 ± 0.40% of water-in-oil, respectively, whereas both solid-in-water and solid-in-oil emulsions formed by a 3-way stopcock showed 0.00%. Homogenous droplet sizes were shown by using the device. The half release times of cisplatin in the emulsions formed by the device were 197 ± 19, 244 ± 24 and 478 ± 52 min, respectively, which were significantly longer than the emulsion formed by a 3-way stopcock of 8 ± 8 min ( P = 0.046–0.050). Suspension showed the longest release time; however, the viscosity was lowest. Conclusion The glass membrane emulsification device formed almost 100% water-in-oil, whereas 3-way stopcock produced 100% oil-in-water when incomplete solution or suspension was mixed. Slower cisplatin release was shown in the emulsions formed by the device.