Limbal-conjunctival autograft transplantation for recurrent pterygium.

PURPOSE: To assess the usefulness of limbal-conjunctival autograft transplantation (LCAT) for the treatment of recurrent pterygium.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Seventeen eyes with advanced recurrent pterygium underwent LCAT All had already been treated at least twice either by simple excision (n=15) or by conjunctival rotation autograft (n=2). Three eyes (17.65%) had symblepharon at the time of surgery, so LCAT was combined with amniotic membrane transplantation. The autograft was taken from the supero-lateral part of the same eye and transferred to the area where the pterygium had been excised.

RESULTS

During 6-18 months of follow-up no postoperative complications occurred. In 15 eyes (88.24%) no pterygium recurrence was recorded; recurrence occurred in two eyes (11.76%) after 8 and 5 months. In three eyes with a combined symblepharon formation, remission of both pterygium and symblepharon growth was obtained.

CONCLUSIONS

LCAT seems to be a promising and safe procedure for recurrent pterygium.