[Surgery for pterygium with transplantation of an epithelial conjunctival flap. II. Results of methods application]

The authors performed 41 operations of pterygium with transplantation of a free epithelial flap from the bulbar conjunctiva in order to cover the defect after the removal of the pathological tissue. The results of 35 operations had been controlled in the period of one to ten years. In 25 cases the operation was the first intervention, in 9 cases the second or third in a recurrent pterygium treated by other methods. In case of necessity the semilunar fold was reconstructed. A recurrence took place in one case after 6 months. The cause of the recurrence was the collection of the flap together with the fibrous layer of the conjunctiva. In the remaining cases a good and lasting effect was achieved, as well from an anatomical as from a cosmetic point of view. The results were compared with the results achieved by various authors by means of another methods.