Twelve-Month Results of Pterygium Surgery with Autologous Blood Assisted, Sutureless Conjunctival Autograft: Safe and Comfortable Surgical Technique

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the efficiency and safety of autologous blood-assisted, sutureless conjunctival autograft surgery in the management of pterygium. Methods: This study included the eyes of 124 patients who were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 62 patients who received autologous blood-assisted, sutureless conjunctival autograft, and Group 2 consisted of 62 patients who underwent conventional sutured conjunctival autograft surgery. The primary outcome measure was graft stability, and the secondary outcome measures were postoperative immediate patient comfort and recurrence rates at 12 months. Results: The mean duration of surgery was significantly shorter in Group 1 (9.84±2.64 min) than in Group 2 (17.90±4.42 min) (p<0.001). The postoperative pain visual analog scale score was significantly lower in Group 1 (p<0.001). The postoperative complications included graft loss in four patients in Group 1 and recurrence of pterygium in six patients in Group 2. Conclusion: The autologous blood-assisted, sutureless conjunctival autograft technique seems superior to the conventional sutured autograft technique in terms of postoperative patient comfort, lower recurrence rates, and shorter duration of surgery.