EARLY POSTOPERATIVE 5-FLUOROURACIL DOES NOT AFFECT THE HEALING OF EXPERIMENTAL INTESTINAL ANASTOMOSES

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) remains the mainstay for systemic treatment of c olorectal cancer. In view of the increasing interest in peri-operative administration of antineoplastic agents, we have investigated the eff ects of early postoperative 5-FU on the healing of intestinal anastomo ses in the rat. Animals underwent resection and anastomosis of both il eum and colon and 5-FU (20 mg/kg body weight) was given, either intrav enously or intraperitoneally, on the day of surgery and the two subseq uent days. Healing was assessed three and seven days after operation. Administration of 5-FU led to a reduced white blood cell count. Howeve r, anastomotic strength was not significantly reduced at either time p oint and anastomotic hydroxyproline content was not significantly affe cted. We suggest that limited use of 5-FU during or immediately after operation does not necessarily affect early anastomotic healing in the intestine.