Long-term comparison of limbal conjunctival autograft and bare sclera technique in pterygium surgery: a five-year follow-up trial

Abstract

To compare the long-term results of limbal conjunctival autograft transplantation (LCAT) and bare sclera (BS) technique in pterygium surgery. The records of patients who underwent pterygium surgery with LCAT in the Sifa University Hospital and Batigoz Eye Health Center between April 2009 and February 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. The results are evaluated and compared with the chi-square test. A total of 258 patients, who had primary pterygium, were operated during the period of April 2009 and February 2010 with the BS technique and LCAT. A total of 179 eyes of 179 patients were included in the study. The mean follow-up period was 56.2 ± 4.3 months. A total of 34 of them were operated with the BS technique. A total of 145 patients underwent pterygium excision combined with LCAT. Recurrence was detected in 11 patients (32.35 %) who were operated with the BS technique and in 6 patients (4.13 %) with LCAT. The recurrence rates in the BS group were higher than the limbal conjunctical autograft group (p < 0.05). LCAT is an effective and safe treatment for primary pterygium.