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Br J Ophthalmol 2000;84:92-97 doi:10.1136/bjo.84.1.92
  • Original Article
    • Laboratory science

Sponge delivery variables and tissue levels of 5-fluorouracil

  1. Mark R Wilkinsa,b,
  2. Nicholas L Occlestona,
  3. Aachal Kotechaa,b,
  4. Lorraine Watersa,
  5. Peng T Khawa,b
  1. aWound Healing Research Unit, Department of Pathology, Institute of Ophthalmology, London, bGlaucoma Unit, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London
  1. Mr Peng T Khaw, Wound Healing Research Unit, Department of Pathology, Institute of Ophthalmology, Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL
  • Accepted 18 August 1999

Abstract

AIM To study how the delivery of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to ocular tissues is affected by altering delivery variables.

METHOD Sponge(s) soaked in radiolabelled 5-FU were placed between the conjunctiva and sclera of pig eyes. Application time, sponge size, sponge make (Altomed, Weck, Merocel), and 5-FU concentration were varied. Conjunctival and scleral tissue levels were determined in samples taken from the application site.

RESULTS Dose-response curves for scleral and conjunctival 5-FU levels against application time showed increasing tissue levels that reached a plateau after 2–3 minutes. Application beyond 3 minutes did not increase tissue levels. There was no difference in tissue levels between 7×4 and 3.5×2 mm sponges. Altomed sponges produced 5-FU tissue levels that were twice as high as those obtained with Weck-cell (p<0.01) or Merocel (p<0.02) sponges. Changing the 5-FU concentration from 25 mg/ml to 6.25 mg/ml reduced the conjunctival concentration by a factor of 3.5 (p<0.003).

CONCLUSION Application time up to 3 minutes, sponge make, and 5-FU concentration can have a large effect on the tissue delivery of 5-FU. Application time beyond 3 minutes, using 3.5×2 mm or 7×4 mm sponges, and replacing sponges every minute did not have a significant effect on tissue levels. This study models the effect that different variables can have on the ocular tissue levels of an antimetabolite applied intraoperatively.

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