Recurrent Pterygium Excision with Extended Resection and Limbal Conjunctival Autograft - Our Results

Aim: To analyze the recurrence rates and complications after extended resection and limbal conjunctival autograft in recurrent pterygium cases. Materials and methods: Retrospective analysis of 216 eyes of 214 patients was done. All the surgeries were performed under subconjuctival infiltrative anaesthesia. Extensive excision of the pterygium was done along with 1mm of normal conjunctival tissue all around and the tenons was resected all around behind and beyond the excised conjunctival margins. A large conjunctival autograft with a thin block limbal tissue in the graft was taken from the superior conjunctiva and placed on the bare sclera with proper orientation (limbal end towards the cornea) and was fixed with fibrin glue. In 6 cases the autograft with the limbal tissue was taken from the inferior conjunctiva as the superior conjunctiva was scarred due to previous surgeries No other adjuvants were used during the procedure. Results: Among the 214 patients, 212 patients had unilateral recurrent pterygium and 2 patients had bilateral recurrent pterygium. All the patients were followed up for a minimum of 6 months with an average follow up of 18 months. Recurrence was seen in 6 eyes (2.7%), out of which 2 eyes had one recurrence earlier, 3 eyes had two recurrences earlier and one eye had three recurrences before. Conclusion: Extended pterygium resection with large limbal conjunctival autograft seems to be an effective surgical procedure in recurrent pterygium with less recurrence and encouraging results.