Sticking with autologous serum versus stitching with non-absorbable suture conjunctival limbal autograft in primary pterygium surgery

Abstract

Background: Pterygium is a degenerative ocular surface disorder with wing shaped fibrovascular growth of the subconjunctival tissue onto the cornea.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the surgical outcome of suture less technique with graft suturing technique for conjunctival autograft fixation following pterygium excision.

Materials And Methods: This was a prospective interventional case study including 50 eyes with pterygium requiring surgical excision. Operated eyes were divided into two equal groups; Group-1 where conjunctival limbal autograft was placed without using sutures after pterygium excision and Group-2 where conjunctival limbal autograft was fixed by 10-0 ethilon monofilament sutures.

Results: Group-1 had shorter duration of surgery (p < 0.001), less postoperative complaints (p < 0.001) and greater patient satisfaction (p < 0.001) than Group-2. Postoperative complications and improvement in visual acuity was same in both groups. Recurrence was not significant in both groups until 6 months of follow up.

Conclusions: Patients who underwent suture less autologous graft fixation had comparatively less operative time, less postoperative symptoms and greater satisfaction than graft fixation with sutures post pterygium excision surgery.