Objective: To compare the efficacy of autologous serum and sutures in securing conjunctival autograftin the treatment of primary pterygium.

Type of study: Randomised, Prospective, Comparative study.

Materials and Methods: 60 eyes of 60 patients with primary advance pterygium attending our OPD in last 2 years were included in the study. All patients were categorised randomly using an online random number generator into 2 groups – group A and B (30 patients in each group). Pterygium excision followed by conjunctival autograft was done in all patients. In group ‘A’ graft was secured by 10-0 nylon suture and in group ‘B’ graft was secured by autologous serum. Surgical time, post-op discomfort and complications were compared in both the groups.

Statistical Analysis: Data was collected using Microsoft Excel. P value <0.05 was taken as significant.

Result: The mean operative time in group A was 33.73min (33.73±2.69) and in group B was23.83 min (23.83±1.91). Early Post operative discomfort was moderate to severe in 73.3% cases in group A, which was much more than in group B ( 20%).Graft retraction was found in 16.6%cases in group A and 30% in group B. In group A 46.6% and in group B 26.6% had graft oedema. One patient developed pyogenic granuloma and one had conjunctival cyst. Both patients belonged to group A. 2 patients (6.6%) of group B had graft loss on 1^st post operative day. At 1 month visit the overall patient satisfaction was much higher in group B. All patients were followed up for 6 months. No recurrence was seen in either group.

Conclusion: Conjunctival autograft with autologous serum is a safe and fast method. It is equally effective as conventional sutured autograft technique. Post operative discomfort is significantly less in this method. It also prevents suture related complications.

Keywords: Primary pterygium, conjunctival autograft, sutured autograft, autologous serum.

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Jasmita Satapathy