OBJECTIVETo investigate the postoperative adverse events and survival of patients with sustained-released fluorouracil implanted during operation.

METHODSData of 124 patients with advanced gastric cancer undergoing radical operation in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from January 2007 to January 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. All the patients were divided into two groups according to whether intra-operative fluorouracil was implanted or not. The treatment group(n=64) was implanted with fluorouracil in abdominal cavity after radical resection. The control group(n=60) did not receive fluorouracil implant in abdominal cavity after radical resection. Abdominal drainage fluid, temperature and adverse events within 15 postoperative days and 3-year survival were observed and compared between the two groups.

RESULTSPathological findings of the two groups were similar. No statistical significances existed in abdominal drainage fluid, temperature and adverse events within 15 postoperative days(P>0.05). The 3-year survival rate was higher in treatment group(64.3% vs. 42.4%, P=0.018).

CONCLUSIONIntra-operative sustained-released fluorouracil implants are safe and tolerable, and can improve the survival rate of patients with advanced gastric cancer.