COMPUTATIONAL MODEL FOR HEAT TRANSFER COUPLED WITH FLUID FLOW WITHIN PERITONEAL CAVITY

Abstract

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has become an essential part of the management of peritoneal carcinomatosis [1,2]. HIPEC is a cancer treatment procedure that involves filling the abdominal cavity with chemotherapy drugs that have been heated (also known as “hot chemotherapy”). HIPEC is performed after the surgical procedure of removing tumors or lesions from the abdominal area. In the past 30 years, the approach of combining CRS with minimal residual disease and intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy emerged as one with a potential for long-term survival. Multiple strategies have been employed to measure the functional peritoneal surface area and determine the required perfusion volume. For that purpose, we have developed a novel computational model (consisted from peritoneal cavity with immersed organs, generated from STL files), with precisely calculated functional peritoneal surface area and cavity volume (for each patient). Using finite element procedure, we have managed to model a heat transfer inside the cavity, coupled with fluid flow. Further, we summarized solutions for velocity and temperature field, obtained using our software package PAK accompanied by the visualization in-house CAD software. Aim is to develop a novel protocol to calculate optimal volume of perfusion that could be easily integrated into the preoperative procedure and to help surgeons to deliver a precise dose of chemotherapy to the peritoneum cavity.