Limbal-conjunctival autograft transplantation for recurrent pterygium

PURPOSE: To assess the usefulness of limbal-conjunctival autograft transplantation (LCAT) for the treatment of recurrent pterygium. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventeen eyes with advanced recurrent pterygium underwent LCAT All had already been treated at least twice either by simple excision (n=15) or by conjunctival rotation autograft (n=2). Three eyes (17.65%) had symblepharon at the time of surgery, so LCAT was combined with amniotic membrane transplantation. The autograft was taken from the supero-lateral part of the same eye and transferred to the area where the pterygium had been excised. RESULTS: During 6-18 months of follow-up no postoperative complications occurred. In 15 eyes (88.24%) no pterygium recurrence was recorded; recurrence occurred in two eyes (11.76%) after 8 and 5 months. In three eyes with a combined symblepharon formation, remission of both pterygium and symblepharon growth was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: LCAT seems to be a promising and safe procedure for recurrent pterygium.