Management of primary pterygia using free conjunctival and limbal-conjunctival autografts without antimetabolites

PURPOSE: To report the incidence of recurrence after primary pterygium surgery using either a free conjunctival or limbal-conjunctival autograft without antimetabolites. METHODS: One hundred eleven eyes of 90 patients underwent pterygium resection; a free conjunctival autograft was used in 88 surgeries and a free limbal-conjunctival autograft in 24; the latter technique was reserved for dark-skinned patients, under age 30, and with a history of recurrent pterygium in the contralateral eye. RESULTS: Mean age was 42.5 years (range, 23-75), and 50% of the patients were male. Mean follow-up was 9 months (range, 3-12). There were 2 recurrences (1.8%), both observed in the third postoperative month. CONCLUSIONS: With a good surgical technique, the incidence of recurrence after primary pterygium surgery is very low, making the use of antimetabolites unnecessary.