Comparison of hyperdry amniotic membrane transplantation and conjunctival autografting for primary pterygium

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the hyperdry amniotic membrane transplantation compared with conjunctival autografting for the treatment of primary pterygium. METHODS: One hundred and forty-one eyes from 130 patients with primary pterygium were treated with excision followed by hyperdry amniotic membrane or conjunctival autografting after random selection. Seventy-nine eyes from 71 patients received hyperdry amniotic membrane transplantation (HD-AM group), and 62 eyes from 59 patients received conjunctival autografting (CG group). Patients were followed up at one week and one, three, six, and 12 months post-surgery. Recurrence rate, postoperative complications, and final follow-up patient visits were prospectively evaluated. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 12.56 ± 4.35 months in the HD-AM group and 12.85 ± 3.90 months in the CG group. Recurrences were detected in four eyes (5.06%) in the HD-AM group and 13 eyes (20.97%) in the CG group. A statistically significant difference in frequency of recurrence between the two groups (P = 0.003) was observed. The cumulative non-recurrence rates at six and 12 months in all patients stratified by age and sex were not significantly different (P = 0.642 and P = 0.451, respectively, by log-rank test). Graft retraction and necrosis were not detected in the two groups during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Hyperdry amniotic membrane transplantation was effective in preventing pterygium recurrence when compared with conjunctival autografting and can be considered a preferable and safe grafting procedure for primary pterygium. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN16900270, Retrospectively registered (Date of registration: 3 May 2018).