Recurrence rate of pterygium following surgical excision with intraoperative versus postoperative mitomycin-C.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the rate of recurrence and complications of pterygium following surgical excision by applying 0.02% mitomycin-C intraoperatively or using topical 0.02 % mitomycin-C drops postoperatively.


METHODS
Randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
Baqai Medical University Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, from January 2001 to July 2005.


METHODS
Eighty-four eyes of 65 patients, aged between 20-70 years, with primary pterygium were randomly allocated into two groups using random tables. Patients with bilateral disease were treated with an interval of 10-14 days and randomized separately. In group-I, 0.02 % mitomycin-C was applied intraoperatively for 3 minutes after pterygium excision. Group-II received mitomycin-C 0.02 % eye drops twice a day for 2 weeks after pterygium excision. Patients were followed-up for pterygium recurrence for one year. Variables were compared for significance, using Pearson chi-square test.


RESULTS
In Group I, recurrence of pterygium was seen in 4 (10.0%) eyes and superficial punctate keratitis in 4 (9.5%) eyes, while 8 (19.0%) eyes developed avascularization of sclera at the pterygium excision site. In group II, 8 (20.51%) eyes had pterygium recurrence (p=0.38), 13 (31.0%) eyes had superficial punctate keratitis and tenon cyst was seen in one (2.4%) eye. One (2.4%) eye in each group developed scleral thinning.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no significant difference in pterygium recurrence rate intraoperatively or postoperative application of 0.02% mitomycin-C. Complications were comparatively less following application of intraoperative 0.02% mitomycin-C for 3 minutes.
Rahman
Atiya
A
Department of Ophthalmology, Baqai Medical University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. atiyaky@yahoo.com
Yahya
Kamran
K
Ul Hasan
Khawaja Sharif
KS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000477:Alkylating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011625:Pterygium / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention
D000477:Alkylating Agents; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors; D016685:Mitomycin