Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of combining application of mitomycin and/or amnion transplantation when carrying out pterygium resection.
Methods: Pterygium resection, mitomycin application and amniotic membrane transplantation were carried out in three combinations: Pterygium resection plus local application of mitomycin C (MMC group, n=114), Pterygium resection plus amnion transplantation (AMT group, n=119) and Pterygium resection plus mitomycin C application and amniotic membrane transplantation (combined group, n=127). The patients were followed up for 6-18 months. The healing time, the cases of recurrence and complication were recorded and analysed.
Results: As for the recurrence rate, it seems that the rate in the combination group (0.79%) was smaller than that in other two groups (5.26% and 6.72%), but the difference between them was insignificant. The patients in the AMT group and in the combined group recovered faster than those in the MMC group. The healing time of the wound in the MMC group (10 +/- 2.8)d was longer than that in the AMT group (4.8 +/- 2.1) d, (P < 0.001) and that in the combined group (5.0 +/- 2.3)d, (P < 0.001). The complication rate of defect at corneal epithelium in the MMC group (10.5%) was significantly higher than that in the AMT group (0%; x2 = 13.2, P < 0.001) and that in the combined group (0.8%; x2 = 211.2, P < 0.001). The hyperemia of conjunctiva and irritation symptoms in eye in the MMC group were more serious than those in other two groups (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: Combining application of MMC and AMT together with Pterygium resection decrease the rate of complications, eases the irritation symptoms, facilitates the recovery from the operation and may decrease the recurrence of the disease.