Sutureless and glue-free limbal-conjunctival autograft in primary and recurrent pterygium: A pilot study

Indian J Ophthalmol. 2022 Mar;70(3):783-787. doi: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_1895_21.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate and analyze the outcomes of sutureless and glue-free limbal-conjunctival autografting in cases of primary as well as recurrent pterygium.

Methods: This prospective interventional study was carried out between February 2019 and February 2020 at a tertiary care hospital in North India. A.

total of 70 patients with pterygium underwent sutureless and glue-free limbal-conjunctival autograft. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 patients with primary pterygium (n = 45), group 2 patients with recurrent pterygium (n = 25). The patients were followed up till 12 months postoperatively.

Results: The mean age of the patients in group 1 and group 2 was 37.04 ± 8.69 years and 32.52 ± 6.49 years, respectively (P = 0.04). Postoperatively, no recurrence was recorded in group 1. Recurrence was noticed in two patients (8%) of group 2. The BCVA changed from 78.73 ± 9.86 letters to 80.15 ± 7.29 letters (P = 0.45) and from 79.6 ± 6.44 letters to 79.8 ± 5.86 letters (P = 0.45) in group 1 and group 2, respectively. Graft edema was found in seven (15.55%) cases of group 1 and four (16%) cases of group 2. Graft retraction was found in two (4.44%) cases of group 1 and three (12%) cases of group 2.

Conclusion: Sutureless and a glue-free limbal-conjunctival autograft is a safe and effective treatment option for primary as well as recurrent pterygium.

Keywords: Limbal-conjunctival autografting; recurrent pterygium; sutureless and glue-free.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autografts
  • Conjunctiva / transplantation
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pilot Projects
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Prospective Studies
  • Pterygium* / diagnosis
  • Pterygium* / surgery
  • Recurrence
  • Transplantation, Autologous
  • Treatment Outcome