Self-corneal limbus stem cell transplantation versus conjunctival flap transposition for pterygium

Objective To evaluate the effect of self-corneal limbus stem cell transplantation and conjunctival flap transposition for the treatment of pterygium.Methods Patients with pterygium(126 cases,214 eyes)were randomly divided into two groups:58 cases 92 eyes with corneal limbus stem cells transplantation,and 68 cases 122 eyes with conjunctival flap transposition.All patients were also treated with ulcer polyp excision under microscope.Recurrent rate and complication were observed during the one year following up.Results One year after operation,recurrent rate of the self-corneal limbus stem cell transplantation group and conjunctival flap transposition group were 4.35%(4 eyes)and 18.85%(23 eyes),respectively(P=0.0020.01).Symblepharon was not happened in the corneal limbus stem cell transplantation group,while nine eyes in conjunctival flap transposition group.Conclusion The self-corneal limbus stem cell transplantation is an effective approach for pterygium.