Recurrence and complications after 1,000 surgeries using pterygium extended removal followed by extended conjunctival transplant.
OBJECTIVE
To document the recurrence rate and complication rate of pterygium extended removal followed by extended conjunctival transplant.


METHODS
An open, prospective study of consecutive pterygium patients undergoing pterygium extended removal followed by extended conjunctival transplant.


METHODS
The study included 1000 consecutive patients undergoing pterygium surgery between August 2001 and September 2009.


METHODS
All patients underwent pterygium extended removal followed by extended conjunctival transplant by the author with attempted follow-up for 1 year.


METHODS
Recurrence and complication rates.


RESULTS
Follow-up of >1 year was obtained in 99% of patients. There was 1 recurrence in the 1000 surgeries (0.1%) with 95% confidence intervals of 0.003%-0.56% (Fischer exact test). Seven patients required further surgery: 3 had graft replacements, and 1 each for recurrence, strabismus, inclusion cyst, and granuloma. One patient lost 4 lines of vision from a corneal ulcer.


CONCLUSIONS
Pterygium extended removal followed by extended conjunctival transplant results in one of the lowest recurrence rates reported in the world's literature and an acceptable complication rate.
Queensland Eye Institute, Brisbane, Australia. lawrie@tapc.net.au
Lawrence W
LW
Hirst
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011625:Pterygium / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult