Long term evaluation of pterygium excision with conjunctival autografting using autologous blood

Abstract

To evaluate the long term outcome of pterygium excision with conjunctival autografting (CAG) using economically viable autologous blood. This is a retrospective analysis of total 40 patients who underwent Pterygium excision with CAG using autologous blood as per our inclusion and exclusion criterion. After pterygium excision by avulsion method, we put the 1mm oversized CAG using autologous blood oozing on bare sclera and margins were tucked. Gentle massage for 10 minutes was given. The patients were followed for 48 months to measure the outcome. Our study shows CAG with autologous blood is very effective with zero percent recurrence and retraction of graft. Only in 1 case (2.5%) we have identified gap in graft-host junction as long term complications. This also does not required any intervention as gap was 1mm.Our study shows long term safety, success of economically viable CAG with autologous blood following pterygium excision.