Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: The present study was conducted for comparing the outcome among patients undergoing pterygium excision surgery with conjunctival autografts using sutures and fibrin glue. Materials & methods: 100 patients were enrolled and were broadly divided into two study groups with 50 patients in each group; for applying sutures and fibrin glue to one group each. Suture group: In this group of 50 patients, the pterygium was excised and conjunctival autograft was sutured with 8-0 vicryl sutures, and Glue group: In this group of 50 patients, excision of primary pterygium with conjunctival autografting was done using fibrin glue. All the patients were managed according to their respective study groups. Follow-up was done and outcome was recorded. All the results were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Mean duration of surgery among patients suture group and glue group was 31.4 minutes and 17.1 minutes respectively. Mean pterygium excision time among patients of suture group and glue group was 7.5 minutes and 6.9 minutes respectively. Non-significant results were obtained while comparing the mean pterygium time among patients of two study groups. On first postoperative day, patient discomfort was seen in 92 percent of the patients of suture group and 64 percent of the patients of glue group respectively. Conclusion: The use of fibrin glue to attach the free conjunctival autograft in pterygium surgery produces shorter operating time, less post-operative discomfort and complications compared to 8-0 vicryl sutures. Shorter surgery time logically translates into lower infection risk and saves valuable operation theatre time.