Pterygium Surgery: Autologous Blood or Suture for Conjunctival Autografting?

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of our study is to compare two different techniques for conjunctival autografting: surgical suturing and autologous blood coagulum. Methods: In this prospective study, we randomly divided 30 patients with primary pterygium into two groups similar in matter of age and sexe distribution. Group 1 underwent surgical suturing for conjunctival autografting and Group2 underwent sutureless autologous blood coagulum for that matter. We evaluated the primary outcome in terms of operative time, patients’ discomfort, graft displacement, graft failure and recurrences. The follow-up rate was at day1, week 1, month 1, 3 months and 6 months. Results: The operative time and patients’ discomfort were considerably reduced using the blood coagulum method (Operative time :15±3 minutes for Group 2 versus 32±2 minutes for Group1) (Patients discomfort p value <0.001). The graft failure and displacement were, however, higher in Group 2 compared to the first Group (p value for both is <0.001). The recurrence rate was equal in both groups. Conclusion: The use of autologous blood coagulum for conjunctival autografting is less time consuming and more comfortable for patients. However, the graft failure and displacement are more common with this technique.