J Hand Surg [Br]. 2004 Feb;29(1):18-21.

A prospective randomised clinical trial of the intra-operative use of 5-fluorouracil on the outcome of dupuytren's disease.

Bulstrode NW, Bisson M, Jemec B, Pratt AL, McGrouther DA, Grobbelaar AO.

From the RAFT Institute of Plastic Surgery, Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood, HA6 2RN, UK.

5-Fluorouracil reduces proliferation rates of fibroblasts, myofibroblast differentiation and contractility of ocular fibroblasts in vitro. This double-blind randomized clinical trial assesses whether intra-operative topical treatment with 5-fluorouracil reduces the recurrence rate after limited excision of Dupuytren's tissue. Patients with two-digit disease were randomized to having 5-fluorouracil (25mg/ml) treatment for 5 minutes on one digit and placebo on the other. Fifteen patients were enrolled with 18 months follow-up. There were no peri-operative complications. Wound healing was not delayed and there was no deterioration in the flexion deformity of the 5-fluorouracil treated digits. Patients were subsequently assessed by joint angle measurement at 3, 6, 12 and 18 months. There was no significant difference between control and 5-fluorouracil treated digits.

Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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