Comparison of fibrin glue and sutures for attaching limbal conjunctival autograft after pterygium excision

Purpose: To compare efficacy of fibrin glue versusconjunctival suturing after pterygium excision in terms of operating time, postoperative symptoms, signs, recurrences & safety in terms of anaphylactic reaction and disease transmission (HIV, HBsAG). Materials and Methods: This hospital based prospective study was conducted at R.L. Jalappa Hospital and Research Centre, Tamaka, Kolar between January 2015 and June 2016. Study included 100 patients fulfilling inclusion criteria and all were worked up according to the protocol. Patients were randomly allocated to 2 groups, Group A (Fibrin group =50) and Group B (Suture group =50) who underwent pterygium excision with limbal conjunctival autograft with fibrin glue and pterygium excision with limbal conjunctival autograft with suture respectively. Patients were followed up at 1st day, 3rd day, 10th day, 1st month and 6th month for postoperative symptoms and signs like pain, foreign body sensation and lacrimation, sub conjunctival haemorrhage, graft retraction/gaping and recurrences. Results: Mean age of Limbal conjunctivalauto graft with suture was 52.39 years and 53.22 years in fibrin glue group. Mean operating time was 43.00 minutes in the suture group compared to fibrin glue group which was 22.78 minutes. Patients in fibrin glue group had less symptoms of pain, foreign body sensation, lacrimation, sub conjunctival haemorrhage and graft gaping compared to suture group. Recurrence was noted in 3 & 1 patient in suture group & fibrin glue group respectively at the end of six-month follow-up period. Conclusion: Fibrin glue was found to be a safe and effective method for attaching limbal conjunctival autograft following pterygium excision. Its use results in a shorter operating time, less post-operative discomfort, inflammation, recurrence and no anaphylactic reaction and disease transmission like HIV and HBsAG compared to suturing.