A new technique for pterygium excision: air-assisted dissection.
OBJECTIVE
To introduce a new technique which aids to remove the pterygium head and facilitates the establishment of a smooth and clear corneal surface without extra scraping or polishing.


METHODS
We used 12 eyes of 12 patients undergoing pterygium excision. Air was injected into the side of the cap of the pterygium head with a 30-gauge needle, to create a dissection plane between the pterygium head and the cornea. After blunt dissection and excision of the pterygium, the conjunctival autograft technique was applied. Complications, postoperative smoothness and clarity of the cornea, and the recurrence rates were evaluated.


RESULTS
Dissection with air was successfully performed in 9 eyes (75%) in which blunt dissection was carried out easily. The corneas were clear and smooth postoperatively. In 3 eyes (25%) dissection with air was not completely successful, and scraping with a crescent blade had to be performed. One of the eyes with incomplete air dissection could not be clearly scraped. No major complications were observed. The recurrence rate was 8.3% (1 eye).


CONCLUSIONS
This new technique is a safe, easy and cheap method for removing the pterygium head from the corneal surface, which also facilitates the establishment of a clear and smooth corneal surface.
Gulkilik
Gokhan
G
Eye Clinic, Vakif Gureba Education Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. g.gulkilik@excite.com
Kocabora
Selim
S
Taskapili
Muhittin
M
Ozsutcu
Mustafa
M
D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008297:Male; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011625:Pterygium / Q000601:surgery*