A Comparative study of Conventional Sutures versus Fibrin Glue for Conjunctivo – Limbal Autograft in Pterygium Surgery

Abstract

Fibrin glue for securing conjunctivo-limbal autograft in pterygium excision is gaining popularity but suturing is still practiced widely. This study was carried out to compare the outcome of sutures with fibrin glue for conjunctivolimbal auto grafting in management of pterygium. A prospective study was carried out in sixty eyes of sixty patients with pterygium requiring surgical excision. Simple excision under local anaesthesia was performed followed by closure of bare sclera by conventional method of suturing conjunctivo-limbal autograft using interrupted sutures in 30 patients(group I)and glued conjunctival autograft in 30 patients (group II) and then bandaged for 24 hours in both the groups. Surgical time was recorded for both techniques. Postoperative discomfort was assessed in terms of pain, foreign body sensation and lacrimation in both groups. The patients were followed up for six months. During follow up, graft related complications and recurrence were noted. Mean surgical time for group I (34.70±7.96 minutes) was significantly more as compared to group II (25.83±6.23). Postoperative discomfort were seen in less number of patients and were of shorter duration in group II as compared to group I. Use of fibrin glue for securing conjunctivo limbal autograft after pterygium excision is simple, easy, safe, effective and less time consuming than sutured autograft. It also causes less postoperative discomfort and adverse events as compared with sutured conjunctivo limbal autograft technique. Hence fibrin glue can be good alternative to sutures for securing conjunctivo-limbal autograft in management of pterygium.