Geetha Kumari Padinjarepattath Vasudevan1, Rekha Pookkatt Sankaranarayanan2
BACKGROUND
Pterygium is a common ocular surface lesion. High rates of recurrence make its management challenging. Use of fibrin bio-tissue adhesive (fibrin glue) for attaching the grafts may shorten operating time, improve postoperative comfort and avoid suture-related complications.
The aim of the study is to reveal the effectiveness and safety of using fibrin glue in place of sutures during conjunctival autograft surgery for primary pterygium.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A randomised clinical trial of 132 patients (132 eyes) admitted at Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Trivandrum, for excision of primary pterygium was selected for a period of 9 months (January 2010 - September 2010).
RESULTS
Mean duration of surgery was 15.80 ± 1.56 minutes in fibrin group compared to 36.17 ± 2.44 minutes in suture group and was found to be statistically significant. The postoperative inflammatory response, so the intensity of the postoperative complaints were significantly lower in patients treated with fibrin glue.
CONCLUSION
The duration of surgery was significantly shorter in the fibrin group than in the suture group. The postoperative discomfort was significantly low in the glue group compared to other group. Signs of postoperative inflammation subsided earlier in the glue group, while they lasted longer in the suture group. Rate of recurrence was observed to be statistically insignificant between the two groups.
KEYWORDS
Pterygium, Fibrin Bio
Adhesive Autograft, Conjunctival autograft.