Systemic absorption of 5-fluorouracil during vitrectomy.

The aim of this study is to determine if systemic absorption is present after 5-fluorouracil (5FU) is used in the vitrectomy infusion. A two-case clinical study. A catabolite of 5FU, alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine (FBAL), was measured in urine samples of two patients who underwent vitrectomy using 5FU in the infusion fluid. In both patients, FBAL was found in the urine samples collected up to 48 hours after the surgery, although in significantly different concentrations. The use of 5FU in the vitrectomy infusion fluid to prevent the formation of proliferative vitreoretinopathy may lead to significant general absorption and may be avoided in children and young adults.