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Role of mitomycin C in pterygium surgery
1Armed Forces Hospital, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
Mitomycin C in the form of eye drops in a concentration of 0.4 mg/ml (0.04%) was used as adjunctive treatment for primary and recurrent pterygium after surgical excision. The study was concurrent in nature and consisted of 32 pterygia in 30 patients and was done over a period of 36 months. The object was to observe the effect of mitomycin C drops on pterygium recurrence after surgical excision. Fifteen eyes of 15 patients were treated with 'bare sclera technique' for pterygium excision. Nine patients showed recurrence occurring within first 6 months of surgery. On the other hand 17 eyes of 15 patients after bare sclera pterygium excision received mitomycin 0.4 mg/ml (0.04%) eye drops four times a day for 2 weeks from first postoperative day. There was no recurrence of pterygium in this group. Follow up time for these cases ranged from 13-19 months.
Insights
Mitomycin C eye drops significantly reduced pterygium recurrence after surgery. This adjunctive treatment prevented regrowth in all observed cases, unlike surgery alone.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Pterygium, a common eye condition, often recurs after surgical removal.
- Recurrence can lead to discomfort and vision impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Mitomycin C eye drops as an adjunctive therapy to prevent pterygium recurrence post-excision.
Main Methods:
- A concurrent study involving 30 patients (32 pterygia) over 36 months.
- Group 1: 'Bare sclera technique' excision (15 eyes).
- Group 2: 'Bare sclera technique' excision followed by Mitomycin C (0.04%) eye drops four times daily for two weeks (17 eyes).
Main Results:
- Pterygium recurrence was observed in 9 out of 15 eyes (60%) treated with surgery alone within 6 months.
- No recurrence was noted in any of the 17 eyes treated with Mitomycin C eye drops post-surgery.
- Follow-up periods ranged from 13 to 19 months for the Mitomycin C group.
Conclusions:
- Mitomycin C 0.04% eye drops are highly effective in preventing pterygium recurrence when used as an adjunctive treatment after surgical excision.
- This therapeutic approach offers a significant improvement over surgical excision alone in managing pterygium.