Comparison of fibrin glue and autologous serum for conjunctival autograft fixation in pterygium

Abstract

Aim The aim of the study was to compare the outcome of conjunctival autograft (CAG) surgery for pterygium using autologous serum versus fibrin glue. Materials and methods A prospective, randomized, controlled trial was carried out on 40 patients over a period of 2 years. Twenty eyes underwent CAG with fibrin glue and another 20 eyes underwent CAG with autologous serum. Postoperatively, the parameters noted in both groups were the time taken for surgery in both groups, postoperative outcome like redness and discomfort during blinking, outcome of the graft (graft edema, graft retraction, graft rejection, graft displacement, and graft loss) and pterygium recurrence. Results In the CAG group with autologous serum, the mean surgical time was 34.8 min (SD=3.66), whereas in the group of CAG with fibrin glue the mean surgical time was 22.95 min (SD=3.09), a statistically significant difference (P=0.0000). The intensity of postoperative discomfort was greater in the group with autologous serum than the group with fibrin glue; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Graft rejection was observed in one patient belonging to the fibrin glue group, after 1 month postoperatively, which eventually by the end of the third month, led to graft loss. Conclusion The operating time in the fibrin glue group was significantly less as compared with the autologous serum group. The cost of surgery was more with fibrin glue. Graft edema, graft loss, graft retraction, and displacement of the graft were more with the use of fibrin glue. However, the difference was not statistically significant.