Results of intra-operative 0.5mg/ml mitomycin C with 20mg depo steroid in the treatment of primary pterygium.

OBJECTIVE

The effectiveness of intra-operative mitomycin C on the recurrence rate of pterygium in patients undergoing primary pterygium excision was assessed.

METHOD: 51 consecutive primary pterygia of 46 patients were excised between April and December 1998. 0.5 mg/ml mitomycin C was applied on bare sclera for one minute and 20 mg depot steroid injected subconjunctivally. Post operatively patients were placed on Gutt Dexamethasone 0.1% with antazoline and chloramphenicol 1.0%.

RESULTS

Follow up ranged from four to 14 months. There was no recurrence of pterygium. Side effects of treatment included: delayed wound healing, avascularised sclera and pyogenic granuloma.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that intraoperative application of 0.5 mg/ml mitomyin C with 20 mg depot steroid following primary pterygium excision is effective and safe in preventing recurrence.