Recurrence and complications of pterygium extended removal followed by extended conjunctival transplant for primary pterygia.

Abstract

To study the recurrence rate and complications after primary pterygium removal using pterygium extended removal followed by extended conjunctival transplant. Sixty-eight eyes of 57 consecutive patients with primary pterygia underwent pterygium removal using pterygium extended removal followed by extended conjunctival transplant between April 2010 and October 2014. The follow-up period lasted for at least 36 months after the procedure. No recurrences were reported after a mean follow-up period of 40.0 ± 5.7 months (minimum of 36months). One case (1.4%) developed Tenon granuloma at the donor site 2 weeks after surgery, and it was surgically removed. Transient graft swelling was observed in 22% of the cases, and transient diplopia was observed in 17.6%. Both graft swelling and diplopia resolved gradually in all cases during the early postoperative period. Loss of corrected distance visual acuity was not reported. Pterygium extended removal followed by extended conjunctival transplant is an effective technique for primary pterygia and resulted in a 0% recurrence rate with minimal intraoperative and postoperative complications.