Depot drug delivery system for 5-fluorouracil after filtration surgery in the rabbit.

We investigated the potential value of 50:50 poly (DL glycolic acid-lactic acid) (PGLA) copolymer as a degradable depot delivery system for 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) after filtration surgery. Analysis of retrieved discs after implantation in 22 eyes of 22 pigmented rabbits showed a dual drug release profile and polymer mass loss characteristics. In a second group of pigmented rabbits implantation of PGLA discs impregnated with 5-FU (22 eyes) significantly lengthened the survival time of filtration fistulae compared with discs without 5-FU (18 eyes) or no disc (10 eyes) (p < 0.0001). Use of PGLA copolymer impregnated with 5-FU could prove valuable for patients undergoing glaucoma filtering surgery.