To compare postoperative recurrence rates of pterygium surgery with amniotic membrane transplantation with and without mitomycin C.

A retrospective analysis of 45 eyes of 43 patients who underwent pterygium surgery with amniotic membrane transplantation with a minimum of six months of follow-up. Nineteen eyes underwent mitomycin C application, while the remaining 26 eyes did not. Recurrence rates and complications were evaluated.

With a minimum of six months of follow-up, fibrovascular tissue in the excised area not invading the cornea (conjunctival recurrence) was noted in two eyes (10.5%), and fibrovascular tissue invading the cornea (corneal recurrence) was noted in one eye (5.4%) in the amniotic membrane transplantation with mitomycin C group. Conjunctival recurrence was noted in six eyes (23.1%) and corneal recurrence in three eyes (11.5%) in the amniotic membrane transplantation without mitomycin C group. Recurrence rate in the amniotic membrane transplantation with mitomycin C group (15.9%) was significantly lower ( p = 0.014) than that in the amniotic membrane transplantation without mitomycin C group (34.6%). Complications included sub-amniotic membrane hemorrhage in two eyes, granuloma in one eye, and wound dehiscence in one eye in each group. There were no specific complications related to usage of mitomycin C.

In pterygium surgery with amniotic membrane transplantation, application of mitomycin C is an effective method to reduce recurrence rates, especially conjunctival recurrences that are related to cosmetic problems. This method may also be helpful to reduce patient discomfort.