Limbal stem cell autograft transplantation in treatment of pterygium

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose:High rate of recurrence is a major concern in the surgical treatment of pterygium. To observe the therapeutic effects of limbal stem cell autograft transplantation in treatment of pterygium. Methods:A noncomperative retrospective case series. Corneal limbal stem cell autograft and conjunctiva was performed in 14 patients (16 eyes) with primary pterygium (14 eyes) or recurrence (2 eyes). In all cases a free transplant of the superotemporal limbus with an adjacent piece of thin conjunctiva was placed in the excision area. Recurrence of the pterygium and complications were analysed. Results:Mean follow–up was 17 months (range, 7 – 28). Recurrence occured in two eyes with primary pterygium ( 12 %) and develloped in the first year following surgery (3 and 9 months). Conclusions:Limbal stem cell autograft is an effective technique for pterygium treatment with a low recurrence rate. This surgical procedure should be proposed in primary care of evolutive pterygium.

Keywords: Pterygium • transplantation • cornea: epithelium