Pterygium recurrence after excision with conjunctival autograft: a comparison of fibrin tissue adhesive to absorbable sutures.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the rate of recurrence after pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft (CAG) using Tisseel fibrin tissue adhesive versus absorbable sutures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-seven eyes of 42 patients who had undergone primary pterygium excision surgery with CAG were retrospectively reviewed. The study group, CAG adhered using Tisseel tissue adhesive (n = 27), were compared with the control group, CAG adhered using absorbable sutures (n = 20). Postoperative courses were followed for 22-36 months after surgery. Rates of recurrence were compared using logistic regression. Recurrence was defined as regrowth of fibrovascular tissue 1 mm past the corneoscleral limbus.

RESULTS

The recurrence rate in the Tisseel group was 3.7% compared with 20% in the sutured group (P = 0.035). Recurrence rate in the Tisseel group was comparable to previously reported rates for CAG with sutures in the literature. There was a significant inverse relationship between age and rate of recurrence overall (P = 0.025). There was no difference in time to recurrence between the groups -- with an average time to recurrence of 3.13 months.

CONCLUSIONS

In a predominantly Southern California population where there is an overall higher rate of pterygium recurrence, Tisseel tissue adhesive may improve surgical outcomes with equal to or lower long-term recurrence rates than previously reported.