Simplified and safe pterygium surgery in Nigerians

Abstract

Objective: To advocate a simplified and safe method of pterygium surgery to Ophthalmologists in Nigeria. Methods: After the routine standard preparation of the eyes for pterygium excision, 114 eyes that had the new procedure did not have the head of the pterygium shaved off the cornea with blade or knife in the usual standard manner; but was avulsed off the cornea unto the sclera . The cornea was then polished with the rough side of a broken ordinary razor blade. The pterygium was excised with a curved conjunctival scissors. Haemostasis and mitomycin C application were carried out in the usual standard manner. Results: All the 114 eyes that were operated using the new procedure had satisfactory cosmetic outcome of the pterygium excision and there was no complication encountered. Conclusion: The simplified method is both safe and effective for pterygium surgery.

Keywords: Pterygium surgery, Safe, Simplified

Port Harcourt Medical Journal Vol. 2 (3) 2008: pp. 224-227