Efficacy and safety of intraoperative mitomycin C as adjunct therapy for pterygium surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The primary objective of this study was to determine if intraoperative application of mitomycin C (MMC) is safe as an adjunct for pterygium surgery. The secondary objectives of the study were to determine if MMC reduces pterygium recurrence rate and to evaluate the effect of MMC on intraocular pressure.


METHODS
We conducted a nonconcurrent prospective study of 68 patients with primary or recurrent pterygium. Patients underwent a comprehensive eye examination preoperatively and postoperatively to evaluate for possible complications associated with the use of MMC. The recurrence rate of pterygia was also included in the data.


RESULTS
We examined a total of 68 patients (68 eyes). The follow-up time ranged from 12 to 98 months (mean = 27.7 +/- 28.8 months). Only 2 postoperative complications were reported: a scleral dellen and a conjunctival cyst. Eight patients (12.0%) with primary pterygium had a recurrence of pterygia after surgery. However, no recurrences occurred in patients with previous recurrent pterygia.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings in our study suggest that MMC is efficacious in preventing recurrences and a safe adjunct therapy during pterygium surgery. Findings in our study suggest that intraoperative MMC application leads to few complications while providing a significant reduction in the recurrence rate.
Díaz
Lilliam
L
University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, Puerto Rico.
Villegas
Víctor M
VM
Emanuelli
Andrés
A
Izquierdo
Natalio J
NJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011625:Pterygium / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D016685:Mitomycin