The use of low-dose mitomycin C for prevention of recurrent pterygium

The administration of high doses of topical mitomycin C after pterygium excision causes a variety of complications.

Seventy-five patients who had advanced or recurrent pterygia underwent excision of pterygia, leaving the sclera bare. Patients were randomized in a masked fashion into three groups of 25 patients each. Patients in group 1 received topical 0.01% mitomycin C for 5 days, patients in group 2 received 0.02% mitomycin C for 5 days, and those in group 3 were treated with 1200 rad beta-irradiation. Patients were followed by a surgeon who was masked to the patient treatment. The mean follow-up period was 15.3 months.

The recurrence rate after pterygium surgeries was 8% in group 1, 4% in group 2, and 20% in group 3. There were no statistical differences between the study groups. Delay of epithelialization for 8 weeks in one patient and degenerative calcification of conjunctiva 18 months after surgery in another patient, both from group 2, were the only complications in this study.

This study indicates the advantage of 0.01% mitomycin C for post-operative prevention of recurrence of pterygium.