Effect of mitomycin C in pterygium surgery on corneal endothelium.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate changes in endothelial cell count after pterygium surgery with 5-minute application of mitomycin C (MMC) 0.02%.


METHODS
The study participants included 24 consecutive patients (17 men and 7 women) who underwent pterygium surgery with MMC at a major tertiary center between September and October 2005. The bare sclera technique was used in all cases. After excision of the head and neck of the pterygium, a surgical sponge soaked with MMC 0.02% was placed on the exposed sclera for 5 minutes, with the conjunctival layer draped over the sponge. Thereafter, the sclera was irrigated with balanced salt solution, and surgery was completed. Endothelial images were acquired at the center of the cornea with a specular microscope (average of 3 measurements) before surgery and at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery.


RESULTS
Mean preoperative endothelial cell count was 2254 +/- 128 cells/mm. The percentage of postoperative cell loss was 21.25% +/- 2.8% at 1 week, 24.26% +/- 1.8% at 1 month, and 21.05% +/- 3.2% at 3 months. The difference in cell count from the preoperative value was significant at all time points (P < 0.02). There were no adverse drug effects and no serious operative complications.


CONCLUSIONS
A 5-minute application of MMC 0.02% to the bare sclera during pterygium surgery has an immediate and significant effect on endothelial cell density, which remains stable for up to 90 days. Furthermore, longer-term studies are needed of different concentrations and durations of the drug and of procedures wherein MMC is applied before excision of the pterygium head.
Department of Ophthalmology and External Eye Disease Clinic, Rabin Medical Center, Hasharon Hospital, Petah Tiqwa, Israel. avisarr@hotmail.com
Rahamim
R
Avisar
Inbal
I
Avisar
Irit
I
Bahar
Dov
D
Weinberger
D000477:Alkylating Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002452:Cell Count; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D011625:Pterygium / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D012590:Sclera / Q000187:drug effects
D000477:Alkylating Agents; D016685:Mitomycin