Comparison of the efficacy of pterygium resection combined with conjunctival autograft versus pterygium resection combined with amniotic membrane transplantation.

PURPOSE

To compare the efficacy of pterygium resection combined with conjunctival autograft versus pterygium resection combined with amniotic membrane transplantation in the treatment of pterygium.

METHODS

A total of 118 cases (133 eyes) were randomly assigned to receive pterygium resection combined with conjunctival autograft (n=81) or pterygium resection combined with amniotic membrane transplantation (n=52). Corneal wound healing and neovascularization and the presence or absence of conjunctival proliferation and hyperemia were analyzed at 12 months post-operatively.

RESULTS

In the conjunctival autograft group, 6 eyes (7.4%) had recurrent pterygium, while in the amniotic membrane transplantation group, 10 eyes showed recurrence (19.2%, P<0.05, chi-square). Patients in the conjunctival autograft group recovered significantly faster compared with those in the amniotic membrane transplantation group.

CONCLUSION

Patients receiving pterygium surgery combined with conjunctival autograft had lower recurrence rates and experience faster recovery compared with those undergoing pterygium resection combined with amniotic membrane transplantation.