The Use of Fibrin Glue for Conjunctival Autotransplantation in Pterygium

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of fibrin glue for conjunctival autotransplantation in pterygium. METHODS: Forty eyes of 32 patients who underwent conjunctival autotransplantation for primary pterygium with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months were included. Postopertive pain, foreign body sensation, tearing, subconjunctival hemorrhage, surgery time, complication, and recurrence were evaluated prospectively in 20 eyes of 15 patients undergoing surgery with fibrin glue, and in 20 eyes of 17 patients undergoing surgery with sutures. RESULTS: One day postoperative, the scores of pain (P<0.01), foreign body sensation (P<0.01), tearing (P<0.01), and subconjunctival hemorrhage (P=0.01) were significantly lower in the fibrin glue group than in the suture group. One week postoperative, the scores of foreign body sensation (P=0.01) and tearing (P=0.01) were significantly lower in the fibrin glue group than in the suture group. Mean surgery time in the fibrin glue group (18 8 minutes) was significantly shorter than in the sutures group (32 11 minutes) (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the recurrence rates of the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Use of fibrin glue for conjunctival autotransplantation in pterygium can reduce postoperative discomfort and required surgical time.