Prevention of pterygium recurrence with intra-operative 5-fluoruracil

ABSTRACT

A randomised, placebo controlled prospective study, aimed at reducing recurrence following excision of primary pterygium by using intra-operative 25mg/ml of 5-fluorouracil [5-FU] in 80 eyes of 71 patients with primary pterygium was conducted. Excision was performed' using bare sclera technique under local anaesthesia with 2% xylocaine. Patients were divided in two groups, a control group, treated with normal saline solution and the other, treated with intra-operative 5-FU [25mg/ml] with the minimum follow-up, carried out for six months. Mean follow-up period was 17.2 + 10.7 months. Recurrence was seen in 40% eyes of the control group and 32.5% eyes in the 5-FU treated group showing a relative improvement [P>0.05], reduced recurrence rate and also delayed its onset. The number of male patients was almost thrice as compared to females and recurrence was slightly higher in males. No serious complications were seen. Pyogenic granuloma and superficial punctate keratitis were slightly higher in the 5-FU treated group. Use of 25mg/ml 5-FU as a single intra-operative application can be considered as an adjunct chemotherapy in surgery for primary pterygium