Role of mitomycin-C in prevention of pterygium recurrence

ABSTRACT

Prevalence of pterygium is quite high in Pakistan. Its pathogenesis is not well defined. Exposure to dust, dryness, wind and the sun are possible causative factors. Surgical excision of an established pterygium relieves the symptoms but has a high recurrence rate of between 30% and 70%, in 1-4 months time. Intraoperative application of a single 0.02% dose of mitomycin-C for 2 minutes after pterygium excision reduces the recurrence rate. In our study, 202 patients harbouring 259 pterygia were included, 106 in the control group [Gp-C] and 111 in the mitomycin-C treated group [Gp-M]. Two hundred and thirty four [90.34%] were primary pterygia while 25 [9.66%] were recurrent in nature. Two hundred and seventeen [83.78%] pterygia were operated upon using the bare-sclera technique, however, only 111 [51.15%] received a single intraoperative application of mitomycin-C as an adjunctive therapy. Follow-up was conducted for 3-17 months, with an average follow-up of 10.3 months. No recurrence occurred in Gp-M while 17 [16.04%] recurrences occurred, within 4 months of surgery, in Gp-C. Additional studies are required to determine a safe optimal dosage and to assess the long-term complications of mitomycin-C