A comparative study of conjunctival autograft and minimally invasive pterygium surgery in primary pterygia

This study aimed at comparing the results of the Conjunctival Autograft Technique (CAG) and Minimally Invasive Pterygium Surgery (MIPS) in primary pterygium excisions. This was a prospective randomized clinical study performed during a one-year period (2009-2010). One hundred and twenty two patients with primary pterygium were randomized in 2 groups: group A (CAG) including 36 patients and group B (MIPS) including 86 patients. The two groups were compared considering the recurrence rate and probable complications of the procedures. Recurrences were detected in 4 patients (11.1%) in group A and 5 patients (5.8%) in group B with no significant difference in this regard (p = 0.447). No major complications occurred during the follow-up period. This study showed that acceptable recurrence- free rates could be achieved (albeit nonsignificant) using MIPS technique in patients with primary pterygium and can be considered as a good alternative in the surgical management of pterygia because of its simplicity and low surgical time.