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Recurrent pterygium surgeryR. Ivekovic, Z. Mandic, I. Petric, V. Lacmanovic
Introduction: Various techniques of pterygium surgery with various rates of recurrence are described in the literature. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of different methods of operation.
Methods: The comparison of pterygium excision with single intraoperative application of low-dose mitomycin C combined with conjuntival rotation, amnion membrane application versus limbal stem-cell transplantation has been done.
We have operated 53 eyes with recurrent pterygium - 21 eyes with application of mitomycin C (MMC) and conjuntival rotation, 14 with amnion membrane application and 18 eyes with limbal stem-cell transplantation.
Results: Patients were followed up in all groups over than 12 months for signs of recurrences and complications. Delayed conjunctival healing was observed in all cases operated with application of MMC as well early postoperative keratitis in all patients from this group. In the group with MMC 2 recurrences and in amnion membrane group even 7 recurrences were noticed. In limbal-stem cell group 1 recurrence was registrated.
Conclusion: The limbal-stem cell transplantation is time demanding operation but with best results in recurrent pterygium treatment between above mentioned techniques.
University Eye Clinic, Univ. Hospital "Sestre milosrdnice", Vinogradska 29, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia