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

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.