Objective:
To evaluate efficacy and safety of subconjunct›val mitomycin C as adjunctive therapy before pterygium surgery.
Material and Methods:
Prospective non-comparative case series. 15 eyes of 15 patient received preoperative subconjunctival 0.1 ml, 0.10 mg/ml mitomycin C one month before bare sclera surgical excision. Patients were examined for corneal epithelial defects, conjunctival hyperemia and possible complications after the injection and excision. Patients were also followed up periodically for the presence of recurrence at least for 2 years. It was accepted as recurrence if the pterygium tissue passed the limbus by 3 mm.
Results:
Recurrence rate is 6.7% in 6 months, but in 2 years follow up period the recurrence rate raised to 13.4% with the recurrence in 2 patients. 2 patients (13.4%) had pyogenic granuloma which resolved with medical therapy. No wound healing complications developed in other patients.
Conclusion:
Subconjunctival mitomycin C injection is thought to be an effective method before pterygium excision. As the chronic complications of this antineoplastic agent are considered, this study should be done with larger case series and longer follow up periods to evaluate efficacy and safety of mitomycin C.
Keywords: Pterygium, Mitomycin C, subconjunctival injection