Role of intraoperative application of mitomycin C to prevent recurrence of pterygium after excision using bare sclera technique [a study of 50 patients at Abbasi Shaheed hospital]

ABSTRACT

The objective of our study was to prevent the recurrence of pterygium with application of intraoperative Mitomycin C following pterygium excision using bare sclera technique. This was an observational study and carried out at eye department Abbasi Shaheed Hospital Karachi. Fifty patients were studied over a period of 9 months. Patient information regarding visual aquity, intraocular pressure, retinoscopy condition of cornea, conjunctiva and retina were recorded on a predesigned performa. Patients were admitted in the ward and operated in sterilized operation the-atre environment. Mitomycin C was applied on bare sclera in a concentration of 0.02% [0.2 mg/ml] for 2.5 minutes and irrigated with copious amount of normal saline afterwards. Patients were discharged next day on mild steroid like flouromethalone and an antibiotic ointment. Follow-up was done on first week, one month, 3 months and six months. Rate of recurrences and postoperative complications were noted down. There were 72% male and 28% female patients .Most common presenting age group was between 30-40 years of age [42%]. Primary pterygia included in the study were 90% [45 patients] and recurrent were 10% [5 patients]. Recurrence rate in primary pterygia was 6.6% [3 patients] and in recurrent pterygia 20% [1 patient]. No major complication was recorded. It was concluded that intraoperative application of Mitomycin C on bare sclera is safe and effective in preventing the recurrence of pterygium after excision provided potential complications of Mitomycin C are sufficiently addressed