A prospective observational study on the effectiveness of pterygium excision with limbal conjunctival autograft transplantation and recurrence in patients of primary pterygium

Abstract

Background: Pterygium is a degenerative and hyperplastic process with abnormal fibrovascular proliferation. Surgery is the treatment of choice in progressive or symptomatic cases but recurrence is a concern. Aims and Objective: We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of pterygium excision and conjunctival autograft (done by post-graduate trainees in the 2nd and 3rd year of residency under supervision) and recurrence of this process in a tertiary care setup. Materials and Methods: It is a single-centric prospective observational study. 50 patients who underwent pterygium excision with conjunctival autografting surgery in a tertiary care hospital were followed up for 1 year. Patients were evaluated on day 1, day 7, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year. Efficacy and graft stability were assessed on day 7 and 1 month; 6 months and 1 year for recurrence and the factors associated with it. Results: Total number of patients was 50; 31 were female, and 19 were male. All cases were effectively managed with excision and autograft. Post-operatively, 13 (26%) patients had shown suture loosening, 17 (34%) patients had graft edema, and 13 (26%) patients had post-operative recurrence. Out of 13 patients, 8 patients had mild recurrence, 4 patients had moderate recurrence, and 1 patient had severe recurrence. Graft stability is significantly associated with suture loosening (P < 0.05). There is no association between the extent and grade of pterygium (P > 0.05). Recurrence was statistically highly associated with (P < 0.0001) suture loosening. Conclusion: We conclude that autografting is an effective technique. Intraoperative proper suturing technique and minimal tissue manipulation can minimize recurrence.