Tuck in versus cauterisation of graft edge in pterygium management: A comparative retrospective interventional analysis

Abstract

Purpose: To compare and evaluate surgical outcome between tuck in and cauterisation in the management of primary pterygium.

Materials and methods: Two groups of 56 eyes and 58 eyes with primary pterygium underwent pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft fixation by tucking in alone (Group 1) and with cauterization (Group 2), respectively. A retrospective comparative analysis was done between the two groups.

Results: This study included a total of 114 eyes in the final analysis. The recurrence was noted in 3 eyes in Group 1 (5.35%), whereas only 1 eye (1.72%) in Group 2. Other complications included graft edema in 25 eyes (44.64%), in Group 1 and 29 eyes (50%) in Group 2, subconjunctival hemorrhage seen in 28 eyes (50%) in Group 1 and 32 eyes (55.17%) in Group 2, graft retraction observed in 28 eyes (50%) in Group 1 and 13 eyes (22.4%) in Group 2, granuloma formation was seen only in one patient (1.72%) in Group 2, graft loss was observed in four patients (7.14%) in Group 1 and 2 patients (3.44%) in Group 2.

Conclusion: Graft fixation in pterygium surgery using low-cost procedures with tuck in or cauterization proves to be tolerable, safe and successful method. An additional step of fixing the graft to the cut conjunctival margin using bipolar cautery proves to be safer.

Keywords: Autograft; cauterization; pterygium management.