Recurrence of Pterygium after Pterygium Excision with Stem Cell Graft and Amniotic Membrane Graft: A Comparison

Study objective The objective of this study was to compare pterygium excision with amniotic membrane graft and that with stem cell graft in terms of pterygium recurrence, using a quasi-experimental study design. This study was conducted at the department of ophthalmology at Nishtar Hospital, Multan, Pakistan from January to September 2019. Methodology and results A total of 214 patients who presented to the outpatient section at the department of ophthalmology were included in this study. A lottery method was used to divide the patients into two equal groups: A and B. Patients in group A underwent pterygium excision with amniotic membrane graft, and patients in group B underwent pterygium excision with stem cell grafts. Follow-ups were planned for the third day, the second week, the first month, the third month, and the sixth month postoperatively. Frequency and percentage were calculated for qualitative variables and for quantitative data. Mean and standard deviation were calculated, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Postoperative complications (i.e., graft edema, hemorrhage, and recurrence) in group A were observed as n = 0 (0%), n = 11 (10.3%), and n = 15 (14%), respectively. Postoperative complications (i.e., graft edema, hemorrhage, and recurrence) in group B were observed as 15%, 3.7%, and 12.1%, respectively. Statistically, the difference for graft edema was significant (p = 0.000). Conclusion Stem cell grafting after pterygium excision was not associated with any major complications postoperatively. Stem cell grafting is better in terms of cosmetic appearance and has less recurrence rate as compared to amniotic membrane transplantation.