Pterygium Excision With Conjunctival Autograft: True Survival Rate Statistics

Efficacy and safety of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents in the treatment of primary pterygium

Purpose

To further evaluate the efficacy and safety of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents in management of primary pterygium.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception to September 2022. Recurrences and complications were evaluated as the pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) using random-effects model.

Results

In total of 1,096 eyes in 19 RCTs were included. Anti-VEGF agents statistically decreased recurrence rate of pterygium following surgery (RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.31-0.74, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that anti-VEGF as an adjunct to bare sclera (RR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13-0.90, P = 0.03) and conjunctival autograft (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.26-0.96, P = 0.04) statistically reduced recurrence rate, while the effect was not favorable for conjunctivo-limbo autograft (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.36-2.68, P = 0.98). Anti-VEGF agents statistically decreased recurrence in White patients (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.28-0.83, P = 0.008), while didn't in Yellow patients (RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.12-1.47, P = 0.18). Both topical (RR 0.19, 95% CI 0.08-0.45, P < 0.001) and subconjunctival anti-VEGF agents (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.45-0.91, P = 0.01) had a positive influence on recurrence. There was no statistically significant difference in complications between the groups (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.52-1.22, P = 0.29).

Conclusions

As adjuvant treatment, anti-VEGF agents statistically reduced the recurrence following pterygium surgery, especially among White patients. Anti-VEGF agents were well tolerated without increased complications.

Characteristics and recurrence of pterygium in Saudi Arabia: a single center study with a long follow-up

Background

This study described the clinical features of patients with pterygium and analyzed the recurrence rate of conjunctival autografting alone, conjunctival autografting combined with intraoperative mitomycin C, and amniotic membrane grafting.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of primary pterygium was conducted between January 2017 and February 2020. Factors associated with pterygium severity and recurrence were analyzed by univariate analysis and logistic regression models.

Results

The study included 292 patients with an average age of 53.3 ± 14.1 years, while the number of operated cases was 94. Pterygia involving the cornea were observed in 55 % of the cases. The overall rate of recurrence for the three procedures was 17 %. The average time of recurrence was 14.2 ± 11.9 months, with 37 % of the recurrences occurring after the first year. The only factor associated with a significant risk of recurrence was dry eye disease in both univariate (p = 0.021) and multivariate analysis (p = 0.026). The recurrence rates following conjunctival autografting with and without mitomycin C were 15.6 and 15.8 %, respectively. The recurrence rate following the amniotic membrane graft was  twofold (OR= 2.02)  (27 %) that following the conjunctival autograft (15.8 %).

Conclusions

The only factor associated with the recurrence of pterygium was dry eye disease. More than one-third of recurrences developed after the first year, which stresses the importance of a long follow-up. The recurrence rate in our study following conjunctival graft was slightly higher compared to the literature mainly due to differences in study areas, populations, and follow-up periods.

The Effect of a Novel Strategy in Treating Primary Pterygium: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Study

OBJECTIVE

We sought to compare the efficacy and safety of conjunctival autograft (CAG), amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) with postoperative interferon alfa-2b (IFN alfa-2b), and modified conjunctival autograft plus amniotic membrane transplantation (mCAG plus AMT) with postoperative IFN alfa-2b for primary pterygium.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled clinical trial.

METHODS

Eyes with nasal and primary pterygia were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive CAG, AMT with IFN alfa-2b, or mCAG plus AMT with IFN alfa-2b. Subjects were followed up for 12 months. Primary outcomes included recurrence rate and complications. Secondary outcomes included corneal epithelium status, ocular surface symptom score, and visual acuity change.

RESULTS

Eighty-five subjects (30 in the CAG group, 25 in the AMT group, and 30 in the CAG+AMT group) completed the 12-month follow-up. No complication or grade 4 recurrence was found. There was no significant difference among the 3 groups in recurrence grade, corneal epithelium status, and visual acuity change. Compared with mCAG+AMT, CAG has a negative effect (β = -0.62, P = .001), and AMT has a negative effect (β = -2.02, P < .001) on postoperative symptom scores. Compared with AMT, CAG has a positive effect (β = 1.28, P < .001) on postoperative symptom scores.

CONCLUSIONS

All 3 strategies had good safety and clinical efficacy in the study. Compared with conjunctival autograft, the 2 surgeries using no autograft or limited autograft was less traumatic and gave more flexibility for future ocular surface condition changes.

Recurrent pterygium: A review

Purpose:

To summarize the recent evidence regarding different aspects of pterygium recurrence.

Methods:

Human-based studies from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were identified using the following keywords: conjunctival disease, pterygium, recurrent pterygium, pterygium recurrence, pterygium management/surgery, conjunctival autograft (CAU), amniotic membrane graft/transplant, and adjuvant therapy (January 2009 to February 2021). We reviewed risk factors associated with the recurrence of pterygium, timing of recurrence, medical treatments to prevent from recurrence, and nonsurgical and surgical alternatives for management of recurrence.

Results:

Dry eye disease, black race, and young age are considered definite risk factors for recurrence. However, fleshy appearance of the pterygium and preoperative size remain controversial. Surgical techniques such as excessive suturing, insufficient conjunctival graft size, thick conjunctival graft with remained Tenon tissue, and postoperative graft retraction are considered possible risk factors for recurrence. Using fibrin glue instead of sutures can further reduce recurrence rates. Although recurrence could occur even after many years, most recurrences happen in the first 3–6 months after surgery. Multiple kinds of adjuvant medications are used before, during, or after the operation including mitomycin C (MMC), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), corticosteroids, and anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGFs). Multiple weekly subconjunctival 5-FU injections are shown to be safe and effective in halting the progression of recurrent pterygium. Although topical bevacizumab is found to inhibit the growth of impending recurrent pterygium, the effect is mostly temporary. CAU is superior to amniotic membrane transplantation in the treatment for recurrent pterygia.

Conclusions:

There is yet to be a panacea in treating recurrent pterygium. Currently, there is not a globally accepted recommendation for treating recurrent pterygium with anti-VEGFs or 5-FU as a nonsurgical treatment. We strongly recommend using MMC as an adjunct to surgery in recurrent cases, with consideration of its specific complications. CAU is the most effective surgical treatment for recurrent pterygium, and other new surgical therapies need further investigation.

[Antiangiogenic therapy in the surgical treatment of pterygium]

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of adjuvant anti-VEGF therapy in the surgical treatment of pterygium, and to determine the indications for its use.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 67 patients (69 eyes) with grade II-IV pterygium. Patients age was 58.8±12.6 years on average. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) varied between 0.01 and 1.0 (0.77±0.24). The patients were divided into 3 groups. The first group included 19 patients (19 eyes) with grade II-III pterygium who underwent «bare sclera» surgery and used aflibercept as adjuvant therapy. The second group included 21 patients (21 eyes) with grade II-IV pterygium who underwent auto conjunctival grafting surgery with no adjuvant therapy. The third group included 27 patients (29 eyes) with grade II-IV pterygium who had it removed in combination with single-time peripheral lamellar keratoplasty (PLK) and underwent adjuvant aflibercept therapy.

RESULTS

Among patients who underwent pterygium excision with adjuvant antiangiogenic therapy there were 5 cases (26%) of relapse during the observation period (23.38±8.96 months), among patients after pterygium excision with auto conjunctival plastic surgery - also 5 cases (24%) of relapse, and among patients who underwent LKP combined with anti-VEGF therapy there was only 1 case (3%) of relapse. Astigmatism has decreased by 0.24±0.5 (p=0.052) in the first group, by 1.21±1.0 (p<0.05) in the second group, and by 1.64±1.54 (p<0.05) in the third group compared with pre-surgical values, thus increasing average BCVA in all 3 patient groups by 0.1±0.13, 0.07±0.11 and 0.15±0.15, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The use of anti-VEGF agents as adjuvant therapy in the surgical treatment of pterygium is a safe method of reducing postoperative inflammation, fibrovascular proliferation and, subsequently, the amount of relapses.

Recurrence Rate and Clinical Outcome of Amniotic Membrane Transplantation Combined with Mitomycin C in Pterygium Surgery: Two-Year Follow-Up

Objective:

To evaluate the recurrence rate and outcome of pterygium surgery with amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) and intraoperative mitomycin C (MMC).

Methods:

This prospective clinical study included patients with pterygium who were candidates for pterygium excision. After the surgical excision, intraoperative local MMC were applied in the standard protocol followed by AMT. The outcome measures were recurrence and the size change of lesion. Kaplan-Meier estimation and regression analyses were performed.

Findings:

Fifty five eyes of 55 consecutive patients including 30 male (54.5%) and 25 female (45.5%) with mean age of 47.12 ± 15.95 years were operated. The mean follow-up period was 15.21 ± 2.67 months. The overall recurrence rate was 34.5% (19/55 cases). The estimated recurrence time for larger size of pterygium before surgery was short and marginally significant (17.14 ± 0.58 month in size of ≤3.0 mm versus. 18.56 ± 0.60 month in size of <3 mm; P= 0.06). A statistically significant association was found in reduced model among the size change of the pterygium and standardized coefficient was −0.012 (P = 0.044) and −0.743 (P < 0.001) for age and size of lesion before surgery, respectively.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that increasing age and pterygial tissue are the risk factors for recurrence and pterygium has a substantial recurrence rate even after AMT combined with MMC.

How to minimize pterygium recurrence rates: clinical perspectives

The main treatment for pterygium is surgical removal. However, pterygium surgery is concerned with high rates of postoperative recurrence. Predicting factors of recurrence are not fully understood, yet, but they probably depend on a multitude of patient-related, clinical, and/or surgical factors. Several adjuvant treatments have been proposed to reduce postoperative pterygium recurrence, including different antimetabolites, antiangiogenetic factors, and radiation therapy. The purpose of this review is to collect the current evidence regarding application and limits of different therapeutic approaches for preventing postoperative recurrence of pterygium, giving insights and perspectives for better management of this disease. In the light of the current evidence, pterygium surgery cannot disregard wound coverage with conjunctival autografting or rotational flap combined with adjuvant treatments. The rotational flap technique is associated with shorter surgical time rates and prevents graft displacement and necrosis, given its vascular pedicle. Amniotic membrane may still be reserved in case of great conjunctival defects or insufficient conjunctiva. Repeated subconjunctival antivascular endothelial growth factor injections can be considered as an effective and safe adjuvant treatment. Moreover, management of postoperative pain is crucial. Innovative treatment strategies will probably target different molecular pathways, considering recent findings regarding pterygium pathogenesis, to improve better understanding and develop universally shared guidelines. Great importance shall be dedicated to the identification of novel molecular biomarkers and favoring factors of recurrence, in order to achieve a customized surgical treatment for each patient and obtain maximal reduction of postoperative recurrence.

Optimal size of pterygium excision for limbal conjunctival autograft using fibrin glue in primary pterygia

BACKGROUND

In our study we describe a method that optimizes size of excision and autografting for primary pterygia along with the use of intraoperative MMC and fibrin glue. Our objective is to propose a simple, optimizedpterygium surgical technique with excellent aesthetic outcomes and low rates of recurrence and otheradverse events.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of 78 consecutive patients with stage III primary pterygia who underwent an optimal excision technique by three experienced surgeons. The technique consisted of removal of the pterygium head, excision of the pterygium body and Tenon's layer limited in proportion to the length of the head, application of intraoperative mitomycin C to the defect, harvest of superior bulbar limbal conjunctival graft, adherence of graft with fibrin glue. Outcomes included operative time, follow up period, pterygium recurrence, occurrences of incorrectly sized grafts, and other complications.

RESULTS

All patients were followed up for more than a year. Of the 78 patients, there were 2 cases of pterygium recurrence (2.6%). There was one case of wound dehiscence secondary to small-sized donor conjunctivaand one case of over-sized donor conjunctiva, neither of which required surgical correction. There were no toxic complications associated with the use of mitomycin C.

CONCLUSION

Correlating the excision of the pterygium body and underlying Tenon's layer to the length of the pterygium head, along with the use intraoperative mitomycin C, limbal conjunctival autografting, and fibrin adhesionresulted in excellent outcomes with a low rate of recurrence for primary pterygia.

Risk factors for pterygium recurrence after limbal-conjunctival autografting: a retrospective, single-centre investigation

PURPOSE

To determine the risk factors related to recurrence of pterygium after pterygium excision with limbal-conjunctival autograft.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective, observational case series.

METHODS

The current study included 310 patients who underwent surgical removal of pterygium using limbal-conjunctival autografting. All surgery was performed by the same surgeon at a single Hospital from 2006 to 2011. Preoperative and postoperative patient data were collected. The patients were summoned to follow-up examinations. Procedures with at least 12 months of follow-up were included in the final analysis. Potential risk factors for pterygium recurrence were determined by Cox proportional-hazard linear analysis and recurrence-free survival time was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

The overall recurrence rate was 5.2% during an average follow-up time of 20.1±8.6 months (range, 12-37 months). According to Kaplan-Meier evaluation, the estimated time to recurrence was 34.2 ± 0.5 months (95% confidence interval 33.3-35.0 months) for the whole population. Multivariate analysis showed that age < 45 years old (RR = 3.582, 95% CI 1.984-13.044, P = 0.047), recurrent type of pterygia (RR = 4.856, 95% CI 1.794-13.142, P = 0.002), and vertical size of pterygium > 6.7 mm (RR = 2.529, 95% CI 1.053-6.075, P = 0.038) were significantly associated with increased risk of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that young age, recurrent type of pterygia, and larger pterygial tissue are risk factors for pterygium recurrence after surgical excision. Hence, early excision of pterygium is recommended to decrease the recurrence rate.

Conjunctival Autograft Combined With Either Preoperative Mitomycin C Injection or Intraoperative Local Mitomycin C Over the Medial Rectus Muscle Tendon in Primary Pterygium Surgery

PURPOSE

To evaluate and compare the recurrence rate and complications of conjunctival autograft (CAG) combined with preoperative mitomycin C (MMC) injection versus CAG with intraoperative local MMC over the medial rectus muscle tendon in primary pterygium.

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized prospective study.

METHODS

This study included 108 eyes of 108 patients with primary fleshy or growing pterygium. All patients were from rural areas and less than 50 years old. Fifty-three patients were treated with injection of 0.1 mL of 0.15 mg/mL MMC into the body of pterygium followed 1 day later by pterygium excision and CAG (group I), and 55 patients were treated with pterygium excision and local application of 0.2 mg/mL MMC for 2 min over the medial rectus tendon followed by CAG (group II). The minimum follow-up period was 18 months.

RESULTS

Two patients from group I and one patient from group II did not complete the follow-up period and were excluded. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding age, sex, laterality, or follow-up period. Recurrence occurred in 2 eyes in group I (3.92%) and 1 eye in group II (1.85%); (P=0.52). All recurrences occurred in male patients of less than 30 years of age. No significant complications were encountered in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Both preoperative MMC injection followed 1 day later by pterygium excision with CAG, and pterygium excision and intraoperative local application of MMC on the medial rectus tendon are successful in treating primary pterygium with low recurrence rate and few complications.

Anti-fibrotic, anti-VEGF or radiotherapy treatments as adjuvants for pterygium excision: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background

Anti-fibrotic, anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) medications, or radiotherapy, as adjuvant for pterygium surgical procedure, has been suggested for reducing recurrence, but difficulties may be experienced in deciding which treatment to use. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacies of these different adjuvants for preventing recurrence following pterygium surgery.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review to identify randomized controlled trials of patients with primary or recurrent pterygium who received anti-fibrotic, anti-VEGF medication, or radiotherapy as adjuvants in combination with surgical procedure. The surgical procedure contained bare sclera technique or petrygium excision combination with tissue grafting. The primary outcome of this study was recurrence. Direct-comparison and Bayesian network meta-analyses were performed to assess direct and indirect evidence of efficacy.

Results

We obtained data from 34 randomized controlled trials, representing a total of 2483 patients. Adjuvants included bevacizumab, 5-FU (5-fluorouracil), MMC (mitomycin C), and β-RT (beta-radiotherapy). Compared with placebo, we found distinguishable improvement in recurrence with bevacizumab (odds ratio [OR] 0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.18–0.80), MMC (0.12, 95% CI 0.06–0.21), and β-RT (0.17, 95% CI 0.04–0.69), but not with 5-FU (0.41, 95% CI 0.12–1.39). MMC significantly reduced recurrence when compared to bevacizumab (0.31, 95% CI 0.13–0.77) and 5-FU (0.28, 95% CI 0.08–0.99). The probability of having the most recurrences after excision was lowest for MMC, followed by bevacizumab and β-RT. Similar results were found in subgroup analyses, including for primary pterygium, and the patients receiving bare sclera technique or conjunctival autograft.

Conclusions

Adjuvants such as MMC, bevacizumab, and β-RT could effectively prevent recurrence following pterygium excision. However, their efficacy and acceptability require further clarification in future randomized controlled trials.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12886-017-0601-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Removal of Tenon fortified by conjunctival-limbal autograft in treatment of pterygium

PURPOSE

To describe a simple and effective technique for the prevention of pterygium recurrence.

METHODS

This is a retrospective consecutive single-center case series with recurrence rate as the main outcome measure. Dissection of the conjunctiva, the Tenon's layer, and the sclera was continued up to the insertion of medial rectus. The exposed Tenon's layer was excised for 2 to 3 mm. The entire free edges of the conjunctiva was tacked firmly to the sclera. The conjunctival-limbal graft was sutured firmly to the sclera, recipient limbus, and to the conjunctiva incorporating the reciprocal edges.

RESULTS

We report findings in a total of 36 patients, with 20 (%55.5) males and 16 (%44.4) females. Median age of the patients was 44.5 years (range 16-80). The mean follow-up period was 23.1 ± 6.5 months. The mean size of pterygium in mm length was 3.8 ± 0.7. Recurrence did not occur in any patient. Diplopia was not reported by any patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Conjunctival-limbal autograft combining with selective exicison of Tenon's layer but without damage to any essential tissue such as the semilunar fold or Tenon's capsule pulley is a relatively simple and effective procedure.

Safety profile and complications of autologous limbal conjunctival transplantation for primary pterygium

PURPOSE

Primary pterygium is a fibrovascular proliferation over the nasal cornea, probably resulting from the limbal stem cell deficiency. Intraoperative mitomycin-C application seems to associate with reduced recurrences, however produced ocular surface problems and vision threatening complications. The present clinical study investigated the safety profile of autologous limbal conjunctival transplantation in terms of recurrence rate, as the main outcome measure and complications as the secondary outcome.

METHODS

The present study was randomised, interventional and prospective clinical study conducted from a tertiary Hospital. Pterygium excision was performed with limbal conjunctival autograft availed from the affected eye. Secondary pterygia resulting from inflammation, trauma and other diseases were excluded. Patients were followed up for 18 months for recurrence and other complications. Microsoft Office Excel 2007 was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 71 eyes of sixty-eight patients with primary pterygia included between November 2007 and October 2010. The study recruited 35 (51%) males and 33 (49%) females with mean age of 36.9 with ±12.82 years standard deviation (mean, SD) ranging from 19 to 75 years. Age grouped by range intervals categorised into six groups. Pterygium was diagnosed in 32 (45%) right eyes and 39 (55%) left eyes. There were 65 (91.55%) nasal and 4 (5.63%) temporal pterygium and no case of double head pterygia found. Average horizontal extension of the pterygium measured was 1.67 mm (±4.23) from the apex to the corneal limbus. Graft oedema in 1 (0.71%) patient, graft bleed in 2 (1.42%) cases and 1 (0.72%) case of granuloma observed. No recurrences encountered during 18 months follow up.

CONCLUSIONS

Pterygium occurred predominantly in the younger population group 36.9 mm (±12.82) probably due to the increased outdoor activity with high exposure to sunlight and dusty atmosphere. Absence of recurrences was probably attributable to the smaller pterygium size of 1.67 mm (±4.23), use of the autologous limbal conjunctival graft and treatable intra and post operative complications successfully.

Seasonal effects on pterygium surgery outcome: implications for the role of sunlight exposure

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to compare the results of pterygium surgery in patients when performed in the summer with the results of surgery performed in the winter.

METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled 55 eyes of 53 patients with primary pterygia who underwent a surgery between December 2011 and January 2012 (winter group, 32 eyes) or between June and July 2012 (summer group, 23 eyes). All the patients were followed up for at least 1 year. Pterygium recurrence, ocular discomfort, persistent conjunctival inflammation, and graft complications were evaluated postoperatively.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age or gender. All the patients were farmers in rural areas. The overall pterygium recurrence rate was 14.5% (8 of 55 eyes). The recurrence rate in the summer group was significantly higher than in the winter group (26.1% vs. 6.2%, P = 0.048). Persistent conjunctival inflammation was also significantly higher in the summer group than in the winter group (30.4% vs. 6.2%, P = 0.022). Pterygium recurrence was significantly higher in eyes with persistent conjunctival inflammation than in eyes without inflammation (66.6% vs. 4.3%, P < 0.001). Mild and moderate ocular discomfort was significantly more frequent in the summer group than in the winter group (69.5% vs. 34.3%, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Pterygium recurrence rates were higher, and postsurgical discomfort was more common when pterygium surgery was performed in the summer compared with that in the winter, potentially because of the increased exposure to sunlight during the summer.

A comparison of anchored conjunctival rotation flap and conjunctival autograft techniques in pterygium surgery

PURPOSE

To compare conjunctival autograft and anchored conjunctival rotation flap techniques, in terms of recurrence and complication rates, after performing a primary pterygium surgery.

METHODS

Sixty patients who underwent pterygium surgery, which was performed on 1 eye (M:F = 25:35), either using conjunctival autograft (25 eyes) or anchored conjunctival rotation flap (35 eyes) techniques, were followed up postoperatively for a minimum period of 18 months. The anchored conjunctival rotation flap surgery was conducted by designing a conjunctival flap with a similar shape as that of the autograft, but with the preservation of the inferior limbal anchoring point (1 mm) by the incomplete cutting of the limbal area. After rotation of the flap around the anchoring point, the flap was tightened with sutures to cover the bare scleral area. Early postoperative complications, such as flap or graft edema and granuloma formation, were assessed. The recurrence rate of pterygium was evaluated, and a comparison was made between the 2 surgical techniques.

RESULTS

The recurrence rate was 8.0% in the conjunctival autograft group and 8.6% in the anchored conjunctival rotational flap group (P = 0.659). However, the occurrence of flap or graft edema was lower for anchored conjunctival rotational flap surgery (14.3% vs. 72.0%, P < 0.001). No granuloma formation was observed in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

The anchored conjunctival rotational flap surgery showed similar pterygium recurrence rates and a lower incidence of flap edema, while enabling simple recognition of flap orientation, compared with the conjunctival autograft technique.