Clinical Research on Surgical Treatment for Double-Head Pterygium

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate two surgical methods-amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) and split-conjunctival grafts (SCG)-for double-head pterygium, with regard to the postoperative outcome and recurrence rate. METHODS: In a total of 16 eyes (14 patients), 7 eyes (6 patients) receiving amniotic membrane transplantation and 9 eyes (8 patients) receiving split-conjunctival grafts were compared to evaluate recurrence and complications. RESULTS: Within the amniotic membrane transplantation group, two eyes (29%) had corneal recurrence, and 3 eyes (43%) had conjunctival recurrence. The mean follow-up period was 21.9+/-3.5 months, and all recurrences were on the nasal side. The average period preceding the corneal recurrences was 7.2+/-1.8 months. Within the split-conjunctival grafts group, the mean follow-up was 13.6+/-2.1 months, and neither the corneal nor conjunctival recurrences were observed. In addition, the eyes of this group were more aesthetically stable, with only one eye exhibiting pseudo-pterygium at the donor site. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of double-head pterygium without contraindication of conjunctival autograft, the split-conjunctival grafts produced fewer recurrences and showed enhanced cosmetic results, as compared to the amniotic membrane transplantation, indicating that the split-conjunctival grafts is the superior choice over amniotic membrane transplantation.