Clinical outcome study of a modified surgical technique for pterygium excision.
BACKGROUND
Pterygium is a common condition that has many and varied surgical management techniques. Our aim was to describe and evaluate the safety and efficacy of a modified tissue-sparing surgical procedure for management of pterygium.


METHODS
This was a retrospective, clinical outcome study of 67 consecutive pterygium head excisions and mini inferior conjunctival autografts (PHEMICA), performed by a single senior surgeon over 7 years. The technique evaluated was a modified pterygium head removal and inferior conjunctival autograft, maximising host tissue preservation.


RESULTS
Group A (primary pterygia): 5.25% recurrence rate (3 of 57 eyes). Group B (recurrent pterygia): 30% recurrence rate (3 of 10 eyes). No major complications occurred. One partial autograft necrosis was noted (1.5%, 1 of 67 eyes), with full resolution.


CONCLUSIONS
The described technique is fast, safe, and effective with a 5.25% recurrence rate in those with primary pterygia. It is not, however, recommended in the treatment of recurrent pterygia; this group of patients requires a more radical excision with a larger autograft and the use of adjuncts such as mitomycin C.
Massaoutis
Panos
P
Eye Department, Mayday University Hospital, Croydon, Surrey, UK.
Khemka
Sneh
S
Ayliffe
William
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011625:Pterygium / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D016685:Mitomycin