Effect of radical pterygium excision for preventing conjunctival recurrence

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of different pterygium excision for preventing conjunctival recurrence.Methods According to the methods of pterygium excision,206 patients(263 eyes)with primary pterygium had been divided into two groups:group A and group B.All patients had received pterygium excision,92 patients(120 eyes)in group A were taken radical pterygium excision,namely,pterygium excision and conjunctival rotation autograft combined with extensive fascia removal and the residual bulbar conjunctiva removal to the limit.About 114 patients(143 eyes)in group B had only received pterygium excision and conjunctival rotation autograft.All patients of the two groups had been followed up for 3 to 69 months with an average of 18.6 months.Conditions of retinal,conjunctival and scleral wound surfaces were observed under slit-lamp microscope.Eyes and incidence rate of conjunctival recurrence were compared between the two groups postoperatively.Results The scleral wound surfaces were mainly covered by transferred conjunctival flap,were with hyperemia and slight edema in group A.The scleral wound surfaces were mainly covered by residual bulbar conjunctiva of pterygium,and hyperemia was kept for more than 1 month.There were 16 eyes were found with conjunctival recurrence in group A and 66 eyes in group B.The incidence rates of conjunctival recurrence were 13.33% and 46.15%,respectively.There was statistical difference in incidence rate of conjunctival recurrence between the two groups with chi square test(χ2=32.75,P0.005).Conclusion Radical pterygium excision is significantly effective for conjunctival recurrence.