The outcome of sutureless glue-free conjunctival autograft for recurrent pterygium

Aim To evaluate and analyze the surgical outcome of suture-free, glue-free conjunctival autograft after excision in recurrent pterygium. Patients and methods A retrospective study of 23 eyes of 21 patients with recurrent pterygium was done, and excision was performed in all eyes. Free conjunctival autograft was taken from superior quadrant of the same eye, and bare sclera was covered without the use of sutures or fibrin glue, allowing natural autologous coagulum of the recipient bed to act as a bioadhesive. The eye was patched for 48 h. Postoperatively, patients were put on topical eye drops (tobramycin and dexamethasone) for 6 weeks. All patients were examined after 48 h and followed for 1, 4, 12, and 24 weeks for postoperative results and complications. Results Of 23 eyes, only seven (30.43%) had subconjunctival hemorrhage, three (13.04%) had graft recession, and two (08.69%) eyes had totally dislodgement of the graft and three (13.04%) eyes had partial displaced. Overall, four eyes had intraocular pressure more than 25 mmHg after 48 h of operation, and two of them took antiglaucoma drugs to control intraocular pressure during the follow-up period. At the end of follow-up time, only three (13.04%) eyes with graft recession were observed. Recurrence of pterygium was noted in one case. Conclusion Suture-free, glue-free conjunctival autograft after excision in recurrent pterygium is easy, simple, safe, fast, and effective procedure with acceptable recurrence rate.