Results of pterygium surgery using a biologic adhesive.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the recurrence rate after pterygium surgery using a biologic adhesive (Tiseel Duo Quick).

METHODS

Eighty-eight patients with primary pterygium were included. This was a prospective nonrandomized trial. Primary endpoints were recurrence rate and operation time, and secondary endpoints were age, sex, and the country of origin's influences on recurrence rate. All patients were operated on by using a conjunctival autograft fixed with Tisseel Duo Quick. Follow-up time was 1 year after surgery.

RESULTS

The recurrence rate was 4.54%. The average operation time was 11.8 +/- 2 (SD) minutes. The mean age at the time of surgery was 60.3 +/- 13.54 years. The mean age of the patients with recurrent pterygia was 50.5 +/- 13.77 years. The male/female distribution of the operated patients was 67/21 (76.14%). The male/female distribution of the recurrences was 1/3 (25%). The Swedish/non-Swedish ethnical distribution of the operated patients was 60/22 (68.18%). The Swedish/non-Swedish distribution of the recurrences was 2/2 (50%).

CONCLUSIONS

Pterygium surgery using a biologic adhesive seems to have a low recurrence rate and short operation time. Further studies regarding the effect of sex, age, and race in pterygium recurrence are needed.