Effect of Pterygium Removal Combined with Conjunctival Autograft on Corneal Parameters in Swept-Source Imaging

Background: Both pterygium ingrowth and excision determine alterations in corneal topography. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of pterygium removal combined with conjunctival autografts in addition to the use of human fibrin tissue glue on changes in corneal parameters as measured by 3-D swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) imaging. Methods: Sixteen eyes (16 patients) with pterygium that qualified for surgical treatment were enrolled in this study. Eye examination, slit lamp, and 3-D AS-OCT (CASIA 2) assessment were performed before the surgery and 7 days, 1 month, and 6 months after pterygium excision. Topographic parameters of both anterior and posterior surfaces of the cornea were analysed at each follow-up visit. Results: The gradual decrease in total astigmatism power from preoperative median 2.75 (6.15) D to 1.2 (1.1) D at 6-month follow-up (p = 0.034) was noted from the day 7 visit. Values were strongly influenced by variations of anterior cornea astigmatism. In contrast, a gradual total HOA reduction at the 1-month (from median 0.79 (1.3) D to 0.44 (0.27) D; p = 0.038) and at 6-month visits (0.25 (0.09); p = 0.001) was observed. Similarly, values were strongly influenced by variations of the anterior. Additionally, total average keratometry values increased from preoperative 44.05 (2.25) D to 44.6 (1.9) (p = 0.043) 1 month after the surgery. Conclusions: Significant steepening of the anterior cornea and a reduction in both astigmatism and HOA were observed after pterygium excision. The anterior corneal surface was an essential component of the total postoperative corneal topography values. Three-dimensional swept-source AS-OCT imaging seems to be a valuable tool for monitoring both the progression of the disease and postoperative effects in pterygium eyes.

Outcome of Inferonasal Conjunctival Autograft in Pterygium Surgery

This study was done to evaluate the outcome of pterygium excision with inferonasal conjunctival autograft at a tertiary eye care centre. Retrospective analysis of medical records of primary pterygia patients operated by a single surgeon between 2017 to 2020 were analyzed. A total of 43 patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The demographic variables, along with size of pterygium and recurrence over a period of six month follow up was noted. The mean age of patients was 46.97 years (29-74 years). The mean size of pterygium was 3.17 mm. Recurrence was seen in 3 eyes over a period of 6 months. Graft edema was observed in 11 patients and graft hemorrhage along with congestion was seen in 8 cases which resolved over a 3 weeks follow up period. Mild conjunctival scarring was seen over donor area in 5 of the eyes. Pterygium excision with inferior conjunctival autograft is an effective alternative technique to superotemporal autograft technique.

Evaluation of Cyclooxygenase-2 and p53 Expression in Pterygium Tissue Following Preoperative Intralesional Ranibizumab Injection

Introduction: Overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and p53 are the postulated aetiopathogenesis in pterygium. VEGF is responsible for the induction of COX-2 expression, whereas p53 plays an important role in the regulation of VEGF. This study aimed to evaluate the immunohistochemistry of COX-2 and p53 expressions from excised pterygium tissue from patients who received intralesional ranibizumab (anti-VEGF) injection 2 weeks prior to pterygium surgery.Materials and Methods: An interventional comparative study involving patients presenting with primary pterygium was conducted between September 2015 and November 2017. The patients were randomized into either the intervention or control group. Patients in the intervention group were injected with intralesional ranibizumab (0.5 mg/0.05 ml) 2 weeks prior to surgery. Both groups underwent pterygium excision followed by conjunctival autograft. Immunohistochemistry staining was performed to evaluate COX-2 and p53 expressions in the excised pterygium tissue.Results: A total of 50 patients (25 in both the intervention and control groups) were recruited. There were 34 (68%) patients with grade III pterygium and 16 (32%) patients with grade IV pterygium. There was statistically significant difference in reduction of COX-2 expression in the epithelial layer [84.0% (95% CI: 63.9, 95.5)] (p = 0.007) and stromal layer [84.0% (95% CI: 63.9, 95.5)] (p < 0.001) between intervention and control groups. There was no significant difference in the reduction of p53 expression between the two groups.Conclusion: This study demonstrated the possible use of intralesional anti-VEGF treatment prior to pterygium excision as a potential future modality of adjunctive therapy for pterygium surgery.

Scedosporium scleritis following pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft

A 67-year-old female presented 6 months following left pterygium surgery with autoconjunctival graft with presumed episcleritis. Following a trial of topical dexamethasone, she returned with pain, reduced vision, and a donor-site scleral nodule. MRI orbits demonstrated scleritis; oral prednisolone was commenced for presumed immune-mediated scleritis. Ten days later, vision reduced to light-perception with significant vitritis overlying a subretinal lesion associated with the donor site. Vitreous tap cultured Scedosporium aurantiacum. Treatment consisted of vitrectomy, scleral debridement with corneal patch graft, with both systemic and intravitreal voriconazole. Further scleral debridement was attempted but unable to be completed due to its posterior extent. As repeat MRI orbits showed persistent active scleritis in proximity to the optic nerve which posed a risk of meningitis, a decision was made for enucleation. This case highlights the difficulties in distinguishing between infectious and autoimmune scleritis, and the importance of excluding infection, particularly in eyes with prior surgery.

Facilitated Tenon-Free Conjunctival Autograft Preparation and Limited Tenon Removal Technique in Pterygium Surgery

Background The main complication of primary pterygium surgery is the recurrence of the pterygium. In the present study, we aimed to compare a classical technique and facilitated tenon-free conjunctival autograft preparation and a limited tenon removal technique in pterygium surgery in terms of recurrence rate, complications, and operation duration. Material and Methods This is a retrospective, comparative, observational study. Group 1 comprised 120 eyes of 115 patients who underwent pterygium excision with a new facilitated tenon-free conjunctival-limbal autograft preparation and limited tenon removal technique between May 2017 and October 2019. Group 2 comprised 117 eyes of 113 patients who underwent pterygium excision with a conventional conjunctival-limbal autograft technique between January 2016 and May 2017. Results The mean follow-up time after surgery was 18.2 ± 5.8 months in group 1 and 19.1 ± 6.3 months in group 2 (p = 0.25). The mean operation duration was 5.54 ± 1.22 (4 – 7) minutes in group 1 and 8.23 ± 1.26 (8 – 10) minutes in group 2 (p = 0.02). Flap edema was present in 33 eyes (28.2%) in group 2 and in 11 eyes (9.16%) in group 1. Flap edema was significantly higher in group 2 (p < 0.001). At the end of the 1-year follow-up of the patients, we observed recurrence in only one (0.83%) eye in group 1 and 14 (11.96%) eyes in group 2. The recurrence rate of group 1 was significantly less than that of group 2 (p < 0.001). Conclusions The simplified technique of tenon-free conjunctival autograft preparation and limited tenon removal yielded better clinical outcomes without serious complications. Additionally, this technique shortened the surgical time and reduced surgeon-dependent factors.

Tear Film Stability After Primary Pterygium Excision Combined with Limbal Stem Cell Transplantation is Superior to Amniotic Membrane Transplantation: A Meta-Analysis

Purpose To evaluate the tear film stability after primary pterygium excision combined with Limbal stem cell transplantation (LSCT) or amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT). Methods We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wan Fang and VIP databases for all studies on tear film stability after primary pterygium excision combined with LSCT or AMT. The mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for outcomes using the fixed effect or random effect model.Results Seven studies with a total of 531 eyes were enrolled in our meta-analysis, which revealed that comparison between the LSCT group and the AMT group: Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) 3 months postoperatively (MD=-5.16, 95%CI:-6.48,-3.85, P＜0.05), Tear break-up time (BUT) 1 or 3 months postoperatively (1 month: MD=0.30, 95%CI:-0.66,1.26, P=0.54; 3 months: MD=1.30, 95%CI:-0.13,2.72, P=0.07), Schirmer I test 1 or 3 months postoperatively (1 month: MD=0.05, 95%CI:-0.41,0.51, P=0.82; 3 months: MD=1.41, 95%CI:0.81,2.02, P＜0.05), Corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score 1 month postoperatively (MD=-0.49, 95%CI:-1.29,0.31, P=0.23).Conclusion Primary pterygium excision combined with LSCT is associated with better tear film stability changes than AMT.

Pterygium surgery using a conjunctival autograft

Surgery is the only effective treatment for pterygium. The most common technique is the use of a conjunctival autograft after excision of the pterygium. However, the frequency of recurrences of this method, as well as possible complications in different sources, are different. Purpose. To evaluate the efficacy, safety and recurrence rate of conjunctival autograft after pterygium excision. Material and methods. 101 patients with pterygium. aged 57.31 ± 14.7 years. The follow-up period was 1 year in 56 patients and 2 years in 45 patients. All patients underwent excision of the pterygium with conjunctival autograft. Results. An intraoperative complication can be attributed to the insufficient area of the autoconjunctival graft during its transfer to the sclera, which occurred in three patients. Postoperative complications: graft edema in 14 cases (13.86%), granuloma in the suture area was observed in 1 case (0.99%). Recurrence of pterygium was noted in only three cases (2.97%). Conclusion. The use of a conjunctival autograft in pterygium surgery has shown its effectiveness and safety, as well as a low recurrence rate. The donor zone in the upper and lateral makes it possible to excise a sufficient area of autoconjunctival graft with preservation of the intact area of possible future surgery for glaucoma. Key words: conjunctival autograft, pterygium, recurrence of pterygium.

PRIMARY PTERYGIUM EXCISION WITH AUTOGRAFT – WHY WASTE TISSUE

AIM : To describe a modied technique of using conjunctival tissue graft from the pterygium itself in patients with primary pterygium and to measure the outcome. METHODS : 40 patients with primary pterygium were included in this prospective observational study from December 2018 to December 2019. Conjunctival layer was separated from the underlying pterygium and cut to get a rectangular graft. Pterygium tissue then excised completely. Cornea scraping done. Graft was placed over the bare sclera and was taken up by autologous blood. Follow up was done on POD 1, 1 week, 1st, 3rd & 6th month. RESULTS: 12 out of 40 patients (30%) had graft oedema on POD 1, 8 out of 40 patients (20%) had graft retraction. Granuloma was seen in 2 out of 40 patients (5%). None had recurrence. Cosmetic acceptance was good in all cases. CONCLUSION: This method is useful to prevent recurrence, in circumstances to cover the large size defect and in glaucoma patients to preserve the superior bulbar conjunctiva for future glaucoma surgeries if needed.