A Retrospective Review of Glueless, Sutureless Pterygium Excision Using Biovance Triple-Layer Decellularized Amniotic Basement Membrane Tissue.

INTRODUCTION

A retrospective analysis was performed to determine if a glueless, sutureless surgical technique utilizing a triple-layer dehydrated, decellularized amniotic basement membrane tissue, combined with short exposure to mitomycin‑C (MMC), can reduce recurrence and complications after pterygium surgery. Surgical excision remains the mainstay of treatment when symptoms such as vision impairment, foreign body sensation, or cosmetic concerns arise. Wide variation in recurrence rates reflects differences in patient populations, follow-up duration, surgical technique nuances, and definition of recurrence. A dehydrated triple-layer decellularized amniotic basement membrane tissue has unique attributes compared to other amniotic membrane tissue (AMT). Decellularization removes the pro-inflammatory chorion and residual donor cellular debris, thereby reducing immunogenicity while preserving extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen, fibronectin, and laminin, which produce anti-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors, promoting epithelial adhesion and migration. In pterygium excision, decellularized basement membrane may contribute to faster, more comfortable recovery, improved cosmesis, and a reduced risk of recurrence.

METHODS

A total of 34 eyes from 33 patients underwent pterygium excision using dehydrated, three-layer decellularized basement membrane.

RESULTS

All patients reported minimal postoperative discomfort, and the operative eyes were relatively quiet with minimal subconjunctival injection. Recurrence was 0% (0/34 eyes) at a mean follow-up of 394 days (range, 174-668). In addition, no pyogenic granuloma, infections, dellen, or melts occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with traditional AMT and conjunctival autograft (CAG) methods using glue or sutures, this approach not only reduces operative time, postoperative discomfort, postoperative visits, and topical steroids but also saves costs without compromising outcomes.