Publication:

Autologous serum as an alternative to fibrin glue for conjunctival autograft fixation in sutureless pterygium surgery

Background Pterygium is a common ultraviolet (UV)-related ocular surface disorder. Although conjunctival autografting lowers recurrence, the optimal graft fixation method remains debated. Autologous serum offers a cost-effective alternative to fibrin glue in sutureless pterygium surgery. Objectives were to compare the efficacy of autologous serum and fibrin glue for conjunctival autograft fixation in sutureless pterygium surgery.

Methods This prospective randomized comparative interventional study was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, from January to July 2020. Sixty patients with primary nasal pterygium were randomly allocated into two groups: Group A (autologous serum) and group B (fibrin glue), with 30 patients in each group. Operative time, graft adherence, postoperative symptoms, complications, and recurrence at 3 months were evaluated. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results The mean surgical time was 23.11±1.69 minutes in group A and 24.41±1.19 minutes in group B (p=0.084). Complete graft adherence on the first postoperative day was observed in 96.7% of group A and 100% of group B. Postoperative symptoms were present in 50.0% and 60.0% of patients, respectively (p=0.463). Recurrence at 3 months occurred in 3.3% of group A and none in group B (p=1.000). No statistically significant differences were found between groups.

Conclusions Autologous serum is a safe, effective, and economical alternative to fibrin glue for conjunctival autograft fixation in sutureless pterygium surgery.