Intralesional Injections of 5-Fluorouracil: innovative and effective treatment of Primary Pterygium

Abstract

To determine the effectiveness of intralesional 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in symptomatic relief, astigmatism, and desire for surgery in patients with primary pterygium. The experimental study was carried out between January and March 2020 in the Ophthalmology Unit of the Hospital del Salvador, Chile. Fourteen eyes (14 patients) were selected on the surgical waiting list and exposed to fortnightly intralesional injections of 10 mg of 5-FU. An initial evaluation was performed with OSDI for symptomatic measurement, a photographic camera and slit lamp for clinical appearance, and an auto-refractometer for astigmatism, being re-evaluated 60 days later, adding the question of whether they maintained the desire to undergo surgery. The sample was divided into groups A and B depending on whether they received two or one dose of 5-FU, respectively. The average age of the participants was 56.8 ± 11.1 years. Group A presented an initial OSDI of 50 ± 23.8, which, after the intervention, decreased to 21 ± 13.5 (p < 0.001). Group B had an initial OSDI of 47 ± 17.3, decreasing to 22 ± 16.2 (p < 0.005)-statistically significant changes. The degree of astigmatism had no changes. Regarding the physical aspect, there was a reduction in the size of the lesion in 2 of the 14 patients, both in group A. Two patients decided not to undergo surgery after the intervention. The intralesional injection of 5-FU showed a significant improvement in symptomatic relief without associated complications, generating a therapeutic alternative in patients with primary pterygium without surgical indication.