Original Article

Conjunctivolimbal Autograft Attaching with Fibrin Glue in Pterygium Surgery

10.4274/tjo.40.266

  • Didem Esen
  • Mehmet H. Özkan
  • Bülent I. Buttanrı
  • Şahin M. Sevim
  • Banu Torun Acar
  • Suphi Acar

Received Date: 29.03.2010 Accepted Date: 05.07.2010 Turk J Ophthalmol 2010;40(5):266-270

Purpose:

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of using fibrin glue in conjunctivolimbal autograft pterygium surgery.

Materia and Method:

Twenty-six eyes of 26 patients with nasal pterygium who underwent pterygium excision with superior conjunctivolimbal transplantation and fibrin glue were reviewed. Surgical durations were recorded. The patients were followed postoperatively on days 1,3,7, and 14 and then at months 1,2 and 3. Subjective symptoms of patients were recorded at each follow-up examination. Postoperative complications and recurrence rate were evaluated.

Results:

The mean patient age was 57.80±9.58 (range: 39-78) years. The mean follow-up period was 20.84±6.50 weeks and the mean surgery time was 12.84±1.73 minutes. The subjective symptoms (pain, foreign body sensation, epiphora, irritation) disappeared in 18 out of 26 eyes (69%) in one week after surgery, and all discomforts reduced within two weeks after surgery in all patients. One patient (3.8) had partial graft dehiscence and the graft was reattached with fibrin glue. There were no cases of pterygium recurrence or complications due to the fibrin glue.

Discussion:

Fibrin glue is a safe and effective method for attaching conjunctival autografts. The use of fibrin glue results in shorter operating time and less postoperative discomfort.

Keywords: Pterygium, fibrin glue, conjunctivolimbal autograft

Full Text (Turkish)