Efficacy of second donor conjunctival graft from the same site for pterygium - A retrospective analysis

PURPOSE: To know the efficacy of the second donor conjunctival graft from the same site as that of the previous donor area in pterygium treatment. METHODS: Case record of patients were retrospectively analysed and those patients who had undergone pterygium excision previously, either for nasal or temporal pterygium excision and came with complaints of pterygium growth in opposite side of the bulbar conjunctiva in the same eye were included in the study. The patients with double head pterygium previously treated only over one side were also included. Total of 23 such patients were included in the study. The patients were followed up on post-operative day 1, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year. The outcome measures like recurrence, graft edema, graft retraction, graft loss and other complications were noted in each follow up. RESULTS: Among the 23 patients included in the study 9 were male and 14 were female patients with a mean age of 44±7.2 years (range 24-57 years). On an average follow up period of 15±8.5 months, only 1 patient among 23 patients had recurrence (4.43%). Other complications noted were graft retraction in 4 eyes (17.4%), sub conjunctival hemorrhage in 8 eyes (34.8%) and graft edema in 11 eyes (47.8%). Only one patient presented with granuloma (4.34%). CONCLUSION: The second conjunctival graft from the same site is safe and effective with encouraging results in indicated cases.