Characteristics and recurrence of pterygium in Saudi Arabia: a single center study with a long follow‐up

Abstract

Background This study described the clinical features of patients with pterygium and analyzed the recurrence rate of conjunctival autografting alone, conjunctival autografting combined with intraoperative mitomycin C, and amniotic membrane grafting. Methods A retrospective cohort study of primary pterygium was conducted between January 2017 and February 2020. Factors associated with pterygium severity and recurrence were analyzed by univariate analysis and logistic regression models. Results The study included 292 patients with an average age of 53.3 ± 14.1 years, while the number of operated cases was 94. Pterygia involving the cornea were observed in 55 % of the cases. The overall rate of recurrence for the three procedures was 17 %. The average time of recurrence was 14.2 ± 11.9 months, with 37 % of the recurrences occurring after the first year. The only factor associated with a significant risk of recurrence was dry eye disease in both univariate (p = 0.021) and multivariate analysis (p = 0.026). The recurrence rates following conjunctival autografting with and without mitomycin C were 15.6 and 15.8 %, respectively. The recurrence rate following the amniotic membrane graft was twofold (OR= 2.02) (27 %) that following the conjunctival autograft (15.8 %). Conclusions The only factor associated with the recurrence of pterygium was dry eye disease. More than one-third of recurrences developed after the first year, which stresses the importance of a long follow-up. The recurrence rate in our study following conjunctival graft was slightly higher compared to the literature mainly due to differences in study areas, populations, and follow-up periods.

[Retracted] Efficacy and Safety of Amniotic Membrane Transplantation Combined with Closure of Tenon Capsule and Bulbar Conjunctival Space in the Treatment of Primary Pterygium

“…Therefore, the existing surgical methods for pterygium still need to be continuously improved. Alsarhani et al [ 2 ] thought the double-sliding conjunctival flap surgery appeared to be a useful method, with a better success rate and lower pterygial recurrence in pterygium surgery. In particular, when pterygium is larger or a recurrent type, this technique can be easily cover the bare sclera, as compared to any transposition conjunctival flap operation [ 2 ].…”

“…It is estimated that the total number of pterygium in China is more than 100 million. Surgical excision is the only effective treatment for pterygium in clinic [ 2 ]. The commonly used surgical methods are based on the excision of pterygium, combined with conjunctival transplantation, amniotic membrane transplantation, and so on.…”

Amniotic Membrane Transplantation an Experience of a Locally Prepared Tissue

“…This was related to the high incidence of this disease in hot climate countries. 28,29 This number of pterygium surgeries is an underestimate of the actual number because pterygium cases in our institution were also managed with conjunctival autografts. Different surgical modalities for pterygium excision were reported in the literature.…”

“…Our finding is consistent with other findings in the region. 28 In corneal ulcers, we used the inlay-overlay combined method in all cases. Lacronaza et al, in their clinical series of AMT for corneal ulcers have adopted the same technique.…”

Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Different Pterygium Surgeries: A Review of the Literature

“…Previous studies have reported that the efficacy of CAU is similar to that of LCAG for primary pterygium; however, the LCAG method carries the risk of corneal neovascularization at the site of autograft retrieval, which is not observed in CAU [ 41 ]. LCAG is also a longer and more technically difficult surgical method than CAU.…”