The Efficacy Of Fibrin Glue Vs Sutures For Attaching Conjunctival Autografts After Pterygium Excision – A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background and Objective ABSTRACT Fibrin glues have been used in an array of ophthalmic procedures such as conjunctival closure in strabismus, vitreoretinal and glaucoma surgery. The present study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of fibrin glue versus suture in patients undergoing conjunctival autografting and also to compare operative time and post operative complications Methods This one year randomized controlled trial on 44 patients with primary pterygium was conducted at Department of Ophthalmology, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belgaum during the period of January 2011 to December 2011. Based on the computer generated randomization, these patients were divided into two groups namely, Group 1 ( Fibrin glue group: n= 22 ) and Group 2 ( Suture group: n=22) . Results In the present study equal distribution of sex ( 50% ) was seen in group 1 and in group 2, female preponderance was seen with male to female ratio of 1:214. The mean age in group 1 was 51.74 ± 13.65 years and in group 2, it was 45.74 ± 13.75 years. All the patients in both groups presented with fleshy mass. Most of the patients ( 77.27% ) in both the groups had grade 2. Majority of the patients ( 95.45% in group 1 and 100% in group 2) had progressive type of pterygium. Among the majority of patients ( 86.36% ) in group 1 the surgical time was significantly less ( 21 to 30 minutes) compared to group 2, where 86.36% IV required 31 to 40 minutes. The mean surgical time in group 1 was significantly less compared to group 2 ( 25.83 ± 6.23 vs 34.70 ± 7.96 minutes) . Conclusion and interpretation The present study showed better efficacy of fibrin glue in conjunctival autografting among the patients undergoing pterygium excision, in terms of pain, foreign body sensation, lacrimation and discomfort during blinking. Also, it significantly reduced the surgical time with fewer post operative complications.