Fibrin glue versus sutures for conjunctival autografting in Pterygium surgery: A Prospective Comparative Study
- Aylin Karalezli (akaralezli{at}yahoo.com),
- Cem Küçükerdönmez (drcemk{at}hotmail.com),
- Yonca A Akova (yoncaakova{at}yahoo.com),
- Rana Altan-Yaycýoðlu (raltanya{at}yahoo.com),
- Mehmet Borazan (mborazan{at}yahoo.com)
- Baskent University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Turkey
- Baskent University, School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Turkey
- Baskent University, School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Turkey
- Baskent University, School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Turkey
- Baskent University, School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Turkey
- Published Online First 11 July 2008
Abstract
Aim: To compare the use of fibrin glue versus sutures for fixating conjunctival autografts in patients undergoing pterygium excision.
Methods: Fifty patients (50 eyes) with primary pterygium were randomized to undergo pterygium surgery using either fibrin glue (25 eyes) or 8-0 Vicryl sutures (25 eyes) to attach the conjunctival autograft. The patients were followed-up for 12 months. Outcome measures were postoperative patient comfort, duration of surgery, and recurrence of pterygium.
Results: In the fibrin glue group, the mean operation time was 15.7±2.4 minutes (range, 12-18 minutes); it was 32.5±6.7 minutes (range, 25-40 minutes) in the suture group (P<.001). The intensity of the postoperative pain, foreign body sensation, irritation and epiphora were significantly lower in the fibrin glue group than in the suture group (P<.001). Intense itchy sensation at the first 2 postoperative visits was lesser among patients in the fibrin glue group (5 patients, 20%) than in the suture group (12 patients, 48%) (P < .05). Two patients in the fibrin glue group had partial graft dehiscence, these grafts were successfully reattached with fibrin glue. At the end of follow-up, pterygium recurrence was observed in 1 eye (4%) in the fibrin glue group and in 3 eyes (12%) in the suture group (P<.05).
Conclusion: Using fibrin glue in pterygium surgery with conjunctival autografting significantly reduces surgery time, improves postoperative patient comfort, and results in a lower recurrence rate compared with suturing.
