title: Systemic absorption of 5-fluorouracil during vitrectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to determine if systemic absorption is present after 5-fluorouracil (5FU) is used in the vitrectomy infusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  A two-case clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both patients, FBAL was found in the urine samples collected up to 48 hours after the surgery, although in significantly different concentrations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Onne
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Creten
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Spileers
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stalmans
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000963:Antimetabolites / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D014821:Vitrectomy; D018630:Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative / Q000517:prevention & control; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000378:metabolism*; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D000963:Antimetabolites; D015091:beta-Alanine; C032348:alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine; D005472:Fluorouracil