Hyaluronidase as an antidote to extravasation ofVinca alkaloids: Clinical results

Skin necrosis is a recognized potential consequence of an inadvertent extravasation ofVinca alkaloids in the surrounding tissues during i.v. administration. Experimental studies suggest that hyaluronidase, an enzyme that degrades hyaluronic acid and improves the absorption of locally injected drugs, can reduce the risk of progressing to skin necrosis. On this basis, we used this enzyme as a local treatment after extravasations ofVinca alkaloids in seven patients. No patient suffered from subsequent skin necrosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical report confirming the positive findings of experimental studies on the effectiveness of this antidote.