Efficacy of Autologous Serum in Fixing Conjunctival Autografts of Various Sizes in Different Types and Grades of Pterygium

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of autologous serum in fixing conjunctival autografts of various sizes in different grades and types of pterygium and to determine the largest successfully secured graft size. METHODS: This prospective interventional study comprised 151 eyes of 151 patients belonging to age group of 21 to 64 years with different grades and types of primary and recurrent pterygium that underwent excision with inferior conjunctivo - limbal autograft secured with autologous serum. The autografts were measured with calipers and were grouped by size into three categories: Group A, small (5 × 5 mm); Group B, medium (5–7 × 5 mm); and Group C, large (>7 × 5 mm). The adhesive fixation power of autologous serum for the various conjunctival autograft sizes was determined for each group using the following criteria: graft stability, cosmetic appearance and complications in the immediate ( first week) and two-months postoperative follow-up visits. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to calculate the percentage frequency of the variables. RESULTS: The groups A, B, and C included 48%, 22%, and 30% of the autografts, respectively. Overall, 93.34% of the grafts were stable with good cosmetic appearance. However, subconjunctival hemorrhage (36%), graft edema (36%) and graft retraction (13.5%) were the most common complications. The largest successfully fixed graft was 14 × 5 mm in size. CONCLUSION: Autologous serum is efficient in securing conjunctival autografts of various sizes with minimal complications and satisfactory results, including good cosmesis.