Mitomycin C for pterygium: long term evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate long term complications after pterygium excision with mitomycin C (MMC) application.


METHODS
Prospective non-comparative interventional case series.


METHODS
Ninety nine patients who underwent pterygium surgery and participated in a controlled study for efficacy of MMC for pterygium surgery between 1989 and 1994.


METHODS
Patients who were located and agreed to come for examination underwent a complete eye examination. The bare sclera area, in particular, was examined for possible complications. The main outcome measures were anatomical findings in area of MMC application.


RESULTS
Forty three eyes of 43 patients were examined. Sixty three per cent of patients had pterygium surgery with intraoperative application of 0.02% MMC for 5 minutes and 37% of patients received MMC 1% or 2% drops four times daily for 2 weeks postoperatively. In three patients, pterygium recurred within 18 months. The only complication was mild conjunctival avascularity in areas of pterygium excision in 30% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Long term evaluation revealed that the use of MMC in pterygium surgery is safe, but for a strict selection of patients, controlled use of MMC and long term follow up are required.
Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
F
F
Raiskup
A
A
Solomon
D
D
Landau
M
M
Ilsar
J
J
Frucht-Pery
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000477:Alkylating Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000098:blood supply; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011625:Pterygium / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000477:Alkylating Agents; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D016685:Mitomycin