title: Epidemiology and recurrence rate of pterygium post excision in Ghanaians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the epidemiology and recurrence rate of pterygium after excision using bare sclera technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective non-comparative study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ophthalmology unit, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved 60 consecutive patients with primary apterygial from July 1998 to December 2000 who had bare sclera excision after informed consent. They were post-operatively followed up for 30-months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-five patients (58%) were females. The patients' ages ranged from 17-75 years, mean (±12.6). Overall recurrence was 22(37%). The main complications encountered include were granuloma 20 %(n=12), restriction in medial rectus muscle motility 2(3%), persistent vascularisation at excision site 2(3%) and adherence leucoma with uveitis 1(2%). No significant association was found between recurrence and pterygium morphology, calcification, allergy and occupation (indoor or outdoor).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The recurrence rate after pterygium excision using bare sclera technique in Ghanaians is high (37%).
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Surgery, University of Ghana Medical School, Ghana.
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Essuman
authors.affiliation: Deceased.
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Ntim-Amponsah
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmic Pathology Service, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Vemuganti
authors.affiliation: University of Ghana Dental School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Ndanu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005869:Ghana; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011625:Pterygium / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D012590:Sclera / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Pterygium; bare sclera excision; conjunctival growth; epidemiology; recurrence