Role of conjunctival inflammation in surgical outcome after amniotic membrane transplantation with or without fibrin glue for pterygium.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the clinical significance of postoperative conjunctival inflammation noted at the third or fourth week after intraoperative application of mitomycin C and amniotic membrane transplantation for pterygium.


METHODS
This retrospective study included 27 eyes of 23 patients with primary (n = 12) or recurrent (n = 15) pterygia. All cases were operated by extensive removal of subconjunctival fibrovascular tissue and intraoperative application of 0.04% mitomycin C in the fornix, followed by amniotic membrane transplantation by using either fibrin glue (14 eyes) or sutures (13 eyes). Main outcome measures included development of conjunctival inflammation, pyogenic granuloma, and pterygium recurrence after surgery.


RESULTS
For a follow-up of 29.6 +/- 17.2 months (range, 6-56 months), 16 (59.3%) eyes without postoperative conjunctival inflammation resulted in favorable outcomes. Conjunctival inflammation around the surgical site was noted in the remaining 11 (40.7%) eyes and was significantly more common in eyes with sutures than those with fibrin glue (61.5% vs. 21.4%, respectively; P = 0.05). Among those with this inflammation, 7 eyes receiving subconjunctival injection of triamcinolone resulted in complete resolution and a good aesthetic outcome. Four eyes without this injection gradually developed conjunctival (n = 1) or corneal (n = 1) recurrence and/or pyogenic granuloma (n = 3).


CONCLUSIONS
Host conjunctival inflammation is still common after intraoperative application of mitomycin C and amniotic membrane transplantation, especially when sutures are used in pterygium surgery. If left untreated, persistent inflammation may lead to a poor surgical outcome.
Kheirkhah
Ahmad
A
Ocular Surface Center, Miami, FL 33173, USA.
Casas
Victoria
V
Sheha
Hosam
H
Raju
Vadrevu K
VK
Tseng
Scheffer Cg
SC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000650:Amnion / Q000637:transplantation*; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011625:Pterygium / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000627:therapeutic use
D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D016685:Mitomycin; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide