Snatching: A modified cosmetic technique in pterygium surgery without using scalpel

To evaluate the cosmetic surgical outcomes of primary corneal pterygia excision using the avulsion (snatching) technique.

A prospective, interventional study included twenty-five eyes of 25 patients with primary pterygium underwent excision were followed up for at least 6 months. In all patients, snatching (modified avulsion) technique was utilised to avulse the pterygium head off the corneal surface and remove any residual fibres by Colibri without need for keratectomy with a scalpel.

The study involved 25 eyes of 25 patients with an average age of 42.5±56.5 years. The mean follow-up was 6 months. One-week post-op, 8 patients (32%) reported they can tell which is the operated eye but looked untouched while 17 (68%) patients reported that the operated eye looked red but is accepted. Twenty patients (80%) reported some discomfort while the remaining 5 patients (20%) reported no discomfort. Cornea examination showed a clear cornea in 18 eyes (72%), 6 eyes (24%) had mild keratitis, and 1 eye (4%) had clouding at the surgical site. Over an average of six months post-op follow-up period, all the patients (100%) reported they cannot tell which eye had the surgery and none (0%) of them reported discomfort. Examination of the cornea was clear in 24 (96%) eyes, but 1 (4%) eye had mild keratitis.

Snatching (modified avulsion) technique was found to be effective, safe, and presents decent aesthetic appearance for the management of primary corneal pterygia when safety points are firmly followed.