Publication:

Effect of tissue glue versus suture in pterygium surgery in a tertiary care center of North-East India

Background Pterygium is a triangular fibrovascular tissue of conjunctiva encroaching on to the cornea. Currently, conjunctival autograft technique after excision is reported as the most suitable and safest method. The autograft transplantation can be done either with the help of suture or tissue adhesives. Objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of tissue glue versus suture in limbal conjunctival autograft transplantation among the patients undergoing pterygium excision.

Methods A prospective study was carried out in a tertiary eye care hospital. 60 patients with primary pterygium underwent limbal conjunctival autograft transplantation. They were enrolled into two groups, group-A (tissue glue, N=30) and group-B (suture group, N=30). Operative time, postoperative patient comfort and recurrence of pterygium were assessed. The patients were followed-up for 6 months.

Results The mean surgical time in fibrin glue group (23.56±2.80) was significantly less compared to suture (30.78±2.20) group with p 0.005).

Conclusions The use of fibrin glue for securing the limbal conjunctival autograft in pterygium surgery significantly reduces the operating time and postoperative discomfort.