Limbal autograft transplantation for recurrent and advanced pterygia.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to examine the usefulness of limbal autograft transplantation in the treatment of recurrent and advanced pterygia.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Eleven patients with recurrent and 16 with advanced pterygia (a total of 27 pterygia) were treated with limbal autograft transplantation. Once a pterygium had been excised, superior limbal tissue was taken with conjunctival flap and transferred to the excised area.

RESULTS

All the grafts were planted promptly, and donor sites were re-epithelialized with no excessive scar tissue formation. Although slight recurrence was noted in 2 eyes (7.4%), subconjunctival tissue invasions were limited to less than 1 mm, and no further surgical interventions were needed.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that limbal autograft transplantation may be effective for the treatment of recurrent and advanced pterygia.