[Pterygium surgery with sutureless, glueless conjunctival graft: Preliminary study at the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Cocody in Abidjan].

PURPOSE: To optimize the pterygium management by delineating the role of sutureless, glueless conjunctival graft.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study carried out at the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Cocody between October 1st, 2021 and March 31st, 2022. It analyzed a series of 36 cases of stage I, II and III pterygium by Cornand's classification, who underwent surgery by a sutureless conjunctival graft technique without biological glue.

RESULTS: Demographically, 33.3% of our study population were between 30 and 40 years of age, with a mean of 47.86 years. The patients showed a female preponderance, 53%, with a male:female ratio of 0.89. At the clinical level, 75% of our population presented for ocular redness, 84% had a nasal pterygium, and 75% were stage 2. In terms of postoperative course and appearance, we observed 80.55% graft stability, 5.56% graft retraction, 2.78% graft displacement, and 11.11% graft loss. At the conclusion of follow-up, we noted an 8.33% recurrence rate.

DISCUSSION: The use of intraoperative blood ensures patient safety and postoperative comfort. This technique demonstrates satisfactory results with primary, nasal pterygia.

CONCLUSION: Conjunctival autograft without sutures or biological glue might be a very promising surgical alternative in the surgical treatment of pterygium.