Pterygium Surgery with Conjunctival Autograft Fixation Using Bipolar Electrocauterization

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case series of pterygium surgery with conjunctival autograft fixation using bipolar electrocautery. Design: A noncomparative, retrospective, interventional case series of pterygium surgery with follow-up longer than 12 months to assess recurrence and other complication rates. Participants: Fifty-six eyes of 37 patients were treated between April 2011 and January 2018, either for primary ( n = 53 cases) or recurrent ( n = 3 cases) pterygia. Intervention: After pterygium excision, free conjunctival grafts from the inferior bulbar conjunctiva of the same eye were harvested and fixated with the use of bipolar electrocautery. Main outcome measure: Recurrence of the pterygium and complications. Results: The mean follow-up was 41 months (range 12 to 81 months). There were no intraoperative complications. Recurrence of the lesion was seen in three eyes (5.36%). There were no other postoperative complications such as graft detachment, or formation of dellen or granulomas. Conclusion: Conjunctival autograft fixation using bipolar electrocautery seems to be a fast, costly and safe procedure that can be applied in most cases of pterygium surgery.