Amniotic membrane transplantation using fibrin glue in pterygium surgery: a comparative randomised clinical trial

To compare the results of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) using fibrin glue vs vicryl sutures in pterygium surgery.

We carried out a prospective, randomised clinical study of 70 eyes (70 patients) with primary pterygium. After the removal of pterygium, patients were randomised to undergo AMT using fibrin glue (Tisseel, 32 eyes) or 8-0 vicryl sutures (38 eyes). Clinical examination and digital photographing were performed at each visit and the patients were followed up for at least 12 months. Post-operative symptoms in the first month were evaluated according to a five-point scale. Final appearances were graded from 1 to 4 in which grade 4 represented true (corneal) recurrence and grade 3 indicated conjunctival recurrence.

The average operation time in the fibrin glue and suture groups were 11.2+/-2.4 min (mean+/-SD) and 18.7+/-2.2 min, respectively (P=0.018). Significantly fewer post-operative symptoms were observed in the fibrin glue group at post-operative days 1, 7, and 14 (P<0.05 for all). At the end of the follow-up, true recurrence (grade 4) was developed in three eyes (9.4%) in the fibrin glue group, and in four eyes (10.5%) in the suture group (P=0.33). The rates of conjunctival recurrence (grade 3) were 21.9% (seven eyes) and 23.7% (nine eyes) in the fibrin glue and suture groups, respectively (P=0.38).

Amniotic membrane grafts can be successfully attached without any major complication in patients undergoing pterygium surgery. In addition, it is effective in shortening the duration of surgery and preventing post-operative discomfort. Although there seems to be no difference in the recurrence rates and cosmetic outcomes between both groups, neither technique represents best results.