Modified Method to Increase the Volume and Stability of Bleomycin Foam: An Experimental Study

BACKGROUND Bleomycin foam is an effective sclerotherapy method for venous malformations. The preparation method is rather complicated, and the volume and stability of the foam are limited. OBJECTIVE To modify the currently used method for preparing bleomycin foam, to simplify the preparation procedure, and to produce foam with greater volume and increased stability. MATERIALS AND METHODS Experiment 1: 6.0 IU of bleomycin powder was dissolved in different human serum albumin (HSA):saline solution (SS) ratios of 0.5:1.5, 0.75:1.25, 1:1, 1.25:0.75, 1.5:0.5, 1.75:0.25, and 2:0 in volume; then, an air:liquid ratio of 2:1 was used to create foam using the Tessari method. Experiment 2: 6.0 IU of bleomycin was dissolved directly in 2.0 mL of HSA; then, air:liquid ratios of 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1 were used to create foam using the Tessari method. The optimum proportions of HSA:SS and air:liquid were screened by comparing the foam half-life (FHL). RESULTS Experiment 1: the optimum proportion of HSA:SS was 2:0, and the FHL was 7.5 minutes. Experiment 2: the optimum proportion of air:liquid was 3:1, and the FHL was 9.0 minutes. CONCLUSION The modified method is simpler and could produce more stable bleomycin foam with greater volume.