Limbal conjunctival mini-autografting for preventing recurrence after pterygium surgery.

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study was to evaluate limbal conjunctival mini-autografting procedure based on recurrence rates following pterygium surgery.

METHODS

A total of 63 eyes (53 patients) with pterygium, of which 60 were primary and 3 were recurrent, underwent surgery for the removal of pterygia with limbal conjunctival mini-autograft. After the pterygium excision, the limbal portion of the graft was oriented and sutured to the limbus at the recipient bed with the epithelial surface upside. Recurrence was defined as fibrovascular tissue of more than 1 mm over the cornea in the area of previous pterygium excision. The mean follow-up period was 12.5 months (ranging between 6 and 29 months).

RESULTS

The time required for the surgery was approximately 30 minutes (range 20-40 minutes). Recurrence of pterygium was observed in 6 of 63 eyes (9.52%). No eyes with recurrent pterygium developed recurrence postoperatively. There were no severe complications during the operative and postoperative period. Most patients had temporary graft edema, lasting a few days after the operation, and they experienced and complained of foreign body sensations and epiphora.

CONCLUSIONS

Limbal conjunctival mini-autografting appears to be an effective procedure for pterygium surgery resulting in a low recurrence rate.