Conjunctival Rotation Autograft for Pterygium: An Alternative to Conventional Conjunctival Autografting.

PURPOSE: To determine the safety and efficacy of conjunctival rotation autograft (CRA) as an alternative to conventional conjunctival autograft after pterygium excision and its complications and rate of recurrence.

DESIGN

A prospective non-comparative interventional case study.

METHODS

Conjunctival rotation autograft was performed under peribulbar block in 50 eyes with primary pterygium as well as recurrent pterygium of grade 1, 2 and 3 according to a morphological grading system. Patients were followed up for 12 months for complications like graft retraction, injection, recurrence, etc.

RESULTS

A total of 55 CRAs were done in 50 eyes of 47 subjects in the study wherein grafts were attached by using the 10-0 nylon sutures in primary and recurrent pterygia. Mean follow up period was 11.67 months (Range 9-12 months). The most commonly found complications were graft injection in 16 (29.09%) cases and graft pigmentation in 5 (9.0%) cases. Injection was not associated with pterygium grade and was found to be statistically insignificant (P = 0.27). Recurrence was found only in 1 (1.8%) case in grade T3 recurrent pterygium.

CONCLUSIONS

Conjunctival rotation autograft appears to be a successful and safe alternative to conjunctival autograft, with a relatively low rate of pterygium recurrence in this uncontrolled series. We advocate the use of CRA for cases of pterygium in which a conventional autograft is contraindicated or difficult. In addition, the procedure can be used as a primary surgical option in primary and recurrent pterygia.