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Long-term results of pterygium surgery by excision and conjunctival autograftA. NeuĂer, U. Gronemeyer
Introduction: There are different surgical procedures dealing with pterygium excision.
This study was performed to receive long-term results (mean follow-up: 2 years) regarding the recurrence rate and the morphological characteristics of recurrent pterygia in order to improve our surgical technique of pterygium excision combined with conjunctival autografting.
Methods: From 1995 to 1997 we performed pterygium excision with free conjunctival autograft in 51 eyes out of 46 patients. 41 eyes out of 37 patients were suitable to participate in our study.
Results: Recurrence rate was 19.5 % (non-selected patients). Analysis of morphologic characteristics of recurrent pterygia revealed that transplants had been either too small or not thin enough. There were no serious complications.
Conclusion: Pterygium excision with conjunctival autografting is safe and effective. Surgery should be performed using an operating microscope. To avoid recurrence the transplant should be extremely thin, large enough and sutured to the sclera.
Universitätsaugenklinik im Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum-Langendreer, In der Schornau 23-25, D-44892 Bochum