Purpose:
Purpose: To study the recurrence rates of the Australian-developed P.E.R.F.E.C.T. technique as compared to standard pterygium excision with amniotic membrane graft in a high risk, primarily Hispanic population exposed to a high desert climate.
Methods:
Methods: Retrospective chart reviews of all patients having pterygium excision with the same surgeon (L.R.), at a single site, from April 2007 to July 2011, for whom a minimum of 4 months follow up was available. A recurrence was defined as any regrowth of abnormal tissue on the conjunctiva or cornea. Photographic documentation of postoperative eyes was performed to present the cosmetic results.
Results:
Results: 37 eyes underwent the P.E.R.F.E.C.T. technique with a mean follow up of 8 months. 40 eyes underwent pterygium excision with amniotic membrane graft, with a mean follow up of 9 months. One recurrence was identified in the P.E.R.F.E.C.T. group (2.7%) compared to 10 recurrences in the amniotic membrane group (25%). The mean age was 54 years in the P.E.R.F.E.C.T. group vs 49 years in the amniotic membrane graft group. There were no major complications using either technique. Besides offering a lower recurrence rate, the P.E.R.F.E.C.T. technique involves a novel reconstruction of the semilunar fold, restoring a normal-appearing caruncle in most patients, an outcome that is not achieved with the amniotic membrane group.
Keywords: pterygium • cornea: clinical science • conjunctiva