[Subconjunctival 5-fluorouracil polyphase liposome interference with scar formation in experimental filtration surgery]

Abstract

Objective: A comparative study was made to determine the effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) polyphase liposome and 5-Fu solution on the prevention of scar formation in filtration surgery.

Method: 20 New Zealand white rabbits that underwent a standard trabeculectomy in both eyes were divided into two groups and each group consisted of 10 rabbits. Postoperatively, according to randomized fashion, in the first group, one eye received daily subconjunctival injection of 5 mg (0.2 ml) 5-Fu solution and the fellow eye received equal subconjunctival amount of normal saline serving as the control, in the second group, one eye received once subconjunctival injection of 5 mg (0.2 ml) of 5-Fu ployphase liposome with every 3 days apart and the fellow eye received the equal amount of subconjunctival injection of polyphase liposome serving as the control.

Results: Two weeks after the surgery, the eyes treated with 5-Fu solution in the first group and 5-Fu polyphase liposome in the second group showed marked reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP, P < 0.05) and the control eyes of both groups did not reveal any marked reduction of IOP as compared with preoperative IOP respectively. Morphometric analysis of the areas of fibrosis in histologic section demonstrated a significant decrease (P < 0.002) in episcleral fibrosis in the eyes treated with 5-Fu solution and 5-Fu polyphase liposome as compared with their control eyes respectively. Superficial punctate keratopathy occurred in two of the 5-Fu solution-treated eyes (20%) and no toxic reaction was noted in the 5-Fu polyphase liposome-treated eyes.

Conclusion: Postoperatively, subconjunctival 5-Fu polyphase liposome instead of 5-Fu solution inhibits the scar formation at filtering site, and the therapy is safe and effective, leading to a higher success rate.