Vertical Split Conjunctival Autograft in Double-head Pterygia

Pterygium of Conjunctiva and Cornea

Pterygium, double-headed, vertical

15 eyes of 15 patients with primary double-headed pterygia that underwent vertical split conjunctival autograft pterygium surgery were retrospectively reviewed. All patients had primary double-headed pterygia. Recurrence was defined as fibrovascular proliferation over the limbus onto the cornea. Vertical split conjunctival autograft using fibrin glue is an effective technique with good cosmetic results and low to no recurrence for primary double head pterygia treatment.

The pterygium body was dissected from the sclera. Complete excision of the pterygium, subconjunctival Tenon's tissue and surrounding fibrovascular tissues followed.The conjunctival edge was trimmed. The corneal surface was gently scraped with a scalpel. The Same procedure was done on temporal pterygia. A free conjunctival autograft was obtained. The graft was divided vertically into two parts. The nasal part of the graft was cut from limbal attachment including limbal tissue; temporal part was left attached. The nasal part of the graft was moved to the nasal conjunctival defect and attached to the sclera with fibrin sealant (Tisseel; Baxter, Vienna, Austria). The Same procedure was done with the temporal part of the graft. The orientation of graft was ensured before securing it.