Use of fibrin glue in the management of recurrent pterygium by conjunctival autograft.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether use of fibrin glue instead of sutures for the treatment of recurrent pterygium with conjunctival auto-graft (CAG) further decreases its recurrence. METHODS A prospective, clinical open trial of 50 eyes of 50 patients with recurrent pterygium, who were randomly assigned to either, pterygium excision and CAG with fibrin glue (Group 1) or with 6 interrupted sutures (Group 2), was carried out from January 2009 to July 2010 at the outpatient department of Subharti Medical College, Meerut, North India. Both groups had 25 patients each. The groups were compared with regards to the surgical time taken, development of recurrence, postoperative symptoms (irritation, watering, and redness), and complications. RESULTS Recurrence was seen in one (4%) eye in group I, and 3 (12%) eyes in group II after 9-13 months of follow up. The difference between the 2 groups was not statistically significant. The surgical time was significantly reduced, and postoperative inflammation and complications were less in group I. Postoperative symptoms were significantly more in group II patients. CONCLUSION While conjunctival autograft with sutures for management of recurrent pterygium appears to be a safe and feasible modality, fibrin glue fixation of the autograft is a more viable option in terms of surgical ease, less time consuming, less postoperative complications, and less recurrence.