A comparative study of post-operative outcomes of pterygium excision with autograft using autologous blood and sutures

Aims: To compare the two modes of treatment in pterygium surgery in terms of postoperative outcomes and duration of surgery. Materials and Methods: Prospective study was conducted from September 2017 to June 2018 at the department of ophthalmology, Narayana medical college and hospital, Nellore. A total number of 40 cases with primary nasal pterygium were selected from outpatient department for surgical intervention. The patients were randomly divided into two groups for pterygium excision with autograft using either autologous blood (20 patients) or sutures (20 patients). After surgical intervention eyes were patched for 24 hours in both groups and two groups were compared for duration of surgery, recurrence, graft edema, graft stability and other complications. Results: In comparison to autologous blood technique granuloma was more in suture group whereas graft edema was more in autologous blood technique after pterygium excision with conjunctival autografting. Conclusion: Fixing of graft in pterygium surgery with autologous blood is a better and cost effective technique when compared with sutures without increasing complications.