Mitomycin C and conjunctival autograft for recurrent pterygium.

PURPOSE: To observe the efficiency of intraoperative low-dose Mitomycin-C combined with conjunctival autograft in the treatment of recurrent pterygium.

METHODS

Fifteen eyes with recurrent pterygium were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 51.6 +/- 11.4 (9 men, 6 women). All patients underwent excision of the pterygium tissue and subconjunctival fibrous tissue with a no cautery approach. 0.2 mg/ml Mitomycin-C (0.02%) was applied for 3 min. Conjunctival autograft was obtained from the superotemporal bulbar conjunctiva of the same eye. Eyes were followed for a mean period of 21.0 +/- 9.1 months.

RESULTS

Recurrence was seen in two eyes (13.3%) during the follow-up period. The only complication seen was graft edema (two eyes; 13.3%) which healed after pressure patching. Graft necrosis, scleral melting or failure of revascularization was not noted.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative application of 0.2 mg/ml Mitomycin-C combined with conjunctival autograft reduces recurrence in recurrent pterygium cases, with minimal complications.