Evaluation of the efficacy of autologous cryoprecipitate for attaching conjunctival autograft after primary pterygium excision

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of using autologous cryoprecipitate for attaching conjunctival autograft and to compare the results of such technique with the use of vicryl sutures in patients undergoing primary pterygium excision, in terms of surgical time, postoperative patient comfort, visual acuity, complications, and recurrence rate. Patients and methods This is a prospective, interventional, comparative clinical study. It included 200 patients with primary nasal pterygium for whom surgical excision of the pterygium with conjunctival autograft obtained from the same eye was performed. The patients were divided into two groups: autologous cryoprecipitate was used in 100 patients (glue group) and absorbable sutures (8/0 vicryl sutures) were used in 100 patients (suture group) to attach the free conjunctival graft. The main outcome measures included operative time, postoperative pain, lacrimation, foreign body sensation, recurrence rate, and complications. The follow-up period was 24 months. Results The mean operative time was 20.28±2.73 min in the glue group and 31.04±6.52 min in the suture group, with a statistically significant difference (P Conclusion Using autologous cryoprecipitate for attaching conjunctival autograft in primary pterygium surgery resulted in shorter operative time and less postoperative pain, foreign body sensation, lacrimation, and subconjunctival hemorrhage. In addition, it decreased the recurrence rate. The cryoprecipitate method appeared to be effective, reliable, and safe after long-term follow-up.