Limbal-Conjunctival Autograft transplantation for the management of primary pterygium

ABSTRACT

To investigate the efficacy of limbal-conjunctival autografting technique in patients with primary pterygium. Fifteen eyes of 15 patients with primary pterygium underwent surgery for the removal of pterygium with limbal-conjunctival autograft. After the pterygium excision, the limbal portion of the graft was oriented and sutured to the limbus at the recipient bed with the epithelial surface upside. Recurrence was defined as fibrovascular tissue extension of more than one mm onto the cornea in the area of previously excised pterygium. With a mean follow-up period of 8 months, no recurrences or serious complications were recorded among our patients. Pterygium excision followed by limbal-conjunctival autograft is a safe and very effective way of treating primary pterygium. Limbal-conjunctival autograft transplantation, primary pterygium, limbal stem cell graft, conjunctival graft