Comparison of Conjunctival Autograft Using Autologous Serum Versus Suturing Technique in Primary Pterygium

Autologous Serum Versus Suturing in Primary Pterygium

Abstract

Pterygium is characterized by degeneration of the subconjunctival tissue, which proliferates as vascularized granulation tissue that invades the cornea, particularly affecting the superficial layers of the stroma and bowman's membrane. Objective: To compare the conjunctival autografts using autologous serum versus suturing techniques in primary pterygium. Methods: This randomized controlled study was conducted at the ophthalmology department of Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan, from September 2023 to February 2024. Patients of either gender aged between 18-70 years with primary pterygium (either nasal or temporal) were included. Patients in Suturing group (n=16) consisted of patients receiving the traditional suturing technique, while in autologous serum group (n=16) had surgeries performed using autologous serum as tissue adhesive. Results: In a total of 32 patients, there were 25 (78.1%) males while overall mean age was 45.4 ± 12.6 year. The mean duration of surgery was 35.6 ± 4.8 minutes in suturing group versus 26.4 ± 2.9 minutes in autologous group (p<0.000). Evaluation of post-surgery ocular discomfort showed that significantly better results were obtained among patients of autologous serum group (p=0.024). Significantly better satisfaction scores were recorded among patients of autologous serum group when compared to patients undergoing suturing technique (p=0.001). Post-surgery complications were assessed in both study groups and no statistically significant differences were observed among patients of both study groups (p>0.05). Conclusions: When considering efficacy, both techniques demonstrated comparable outcomes. In terms of postoperative discomfort and surgical duration, the autologous serum method showed significant advantages by presenting reduced discomfort and shorter surgical times.