Use of adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen therapy to support limbal conjunctival graft in the management of recurrent pterygium.

PURPOSE: To assess the role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in the management of recurrent pterygium.

METHODS

Thirty-nine eyes with recurrent pterygium were treated with surgical excision and limbal conjunctival autograft, followed by a course of HBOT. Patients were followed for development of recurrence.

RESULTS

Of the 39 eyes, 18 had a known history of exposure to beta radiation or mitomycin C. The mean duration of follow-up in this group was 23.1 months. A single recurrence was noted in this group. For the remaining 21 eyes, the mean duration of follow-up was 19.4 months. No recurrences were recorded in this group. No significant complications from HBOT were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of HBOT together with excision and limbal conjunctival autograft for recurrent pterygium is associated with a low recurrence rate. Adjuvant HBOT should be considered in the surgical management of recurrent pterygium.