AbstractIntroduction: Pterygium is a degenerative condition. Pterygium can induce visually significant astigmatic changes or may grow to occlude the visual axis. In the management of pterygium one of the major problems is the high rate of recurrence. Aims: To study the efficacy and complications of limbal conjunctival autografting using sutures, fibrin glue or autologous blood for graft adhesion after pterygium excision and to compare the results. Materials and methods: A total of 120 patients who underwent limbal conjunctival autografting after pterygium excision. Grafts were secured using autologous blood in 40 eyes, fibrin glue in 40 eyes and sutures in 40 eyes.Study was conducted during a period of 1 1/2 year in the Department of Ophthalmology, SVS Medical College and Hospital, Mahabubnagar. Results: Of the 120 eyes the grafts were secured in 40 eyes (33.3%) using autologous blood, 40 eyes (33.3%) using sutures and 40 eyes (33.3%) using fibrin glue according to the patient's choice.The mean time taken for surgery in the various groups of this study was compared and found to be highest with sutures (27.7 min) and least with the autologous blood method (15.70 min). No intra op complications were noticed in the three groups. All patients were followed up for a period of 6 months. Postoperative complications were more with the use of sutures and mild enough to subside with treatment in 1 week. Minimal graft displacement was noticed in 1 eye in the autologous blood method group which did not require any revision surgery.In this study single line improvement in postoperative Snellen's visual acuity was noticed in the three eyes with large pterygia unrelated to the method of graft adhesion. Recurrences were noticed in 3 of the 120 eyes over 6 months' follow up. Conclusion: In this study single line improvement in postoperative Snellen's visual acuity was noticed in the three eyes with large pterygia unrelated to the method of graft adhesion.
Keywords: Sutures; Fibrin Glue; Pterygium.