The authors report a prospective, comparative, non-randomized clinical trial of 35 pterygium patients with unilateral nasal primary pterygium infiltrating the cornea 2-5mm in size, who underwent pterygium excision between June 2013 and September 2014. Thirty-five eyes of 35 patients with primary pterygium were included in the study. The patients underwent excision of pterygium followed by closure of the bare sclera by CA (n=20) vs. PRF grafts (n=15). The platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) was generated from the patients’ own whole-blood sample by centrifugation and pressing. The surgery times, intra / postoperative complications, recurrence rates of pterygium, and changes in visual acuity (VA) were evaluated and compared within groups. The mean follow-up period was 14.3±6.5 months. The mean preoperative and postoperative VAs were the same (20/25) (p=0.204). The mean surgery time was shorter in the PRF group as compared to the bare sclera group (22.1±1.9 min vs. 33.8±7.8 min; p=0.001). One recurrence was observed in the PRF group (6.6%), while there was no recurrence in the bare sclera group. Graft loss was observed in one (6.6%) case in the PRF group. No other intra / postoperative complications such as a tear in the graft, excessive bleeding, scleral necrosis, graft necrosis, pannus formation, or symblepharon occurred in any group. The use of PRF in pterygium surgery offers a promising method with low rates of recurrence and complications. Limitations: small cohort.
A novel graft option after pterygium excision: platelet-rich fibrin for conjunctivoplasty.
Cakmak HB, Dereli Can G, Can ME, Cagil N.
EYE
2017;31:1606-12.
