Investigation on limbal stem cell transplantation with sealing fascial bursa clearance to prevent recurrence of pterygium after excision

Abstract

AIM:To explore the clinical effect of pterygium excision combined with autologous conjunctiva graft containing corneal limbal stem cells to seal the clearance between conjunctiva and Tenon capsule for the treatment of pterygium.METHODS:Totally 128 eyes of 110 cases underwent pterygium excision with the operation mentioned above. The recovery of corneal epithelium and the recurrence of pterygium were observed after surgeries.RESULTS:The cases were followed up for 12 or 24mo and the pterygium recurrence rate was 2.3% and 3.9% respectively. Corneal epithelium recovered within 2～3d. There were not any complications.CONCLUSION:Pterygium excision combined with autologous conjunctiva graft containing corneal limbal stem cells to seal the clearance between conjunctiva and Tenon capsule has reliable curative effect and the autologous grafts can be easily obtained. This method can significantly reduce recurrence of pterygium and make the appearance and position of lacrimal caruncles normal. It can decrease postoperative inflammation and improve postoperative recovery. It is an ideal method for pterygium treatment.

Keywords

• pterygium
• corneal limbal stem cell transplantation
• Tenon capsule
• recurrence