Intraoperative mitomycin-C versus postoperative topical mitomycin-C drops for the treatment of pterygium

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of two different regimens of mitomycin-C (MMC) application as adjunctive chemotherapy in the treatment of pterygia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred fifty-six patients underwent pterygium excision using the bare sclera technique. They were randomly assigned to have either 0.1 mg/ml of MMC applied to the bare sclera for 3 minutes intraoperatively, or 0.05-mg/ml drops applied topically for 2 weeks postoperatively. The mean follow-up period was 11 months (range 7 to 17). RESULTS: Complications with the intraoperative MMC included 5 cases of recurrence (5.75%), 2 cases of superficial punctate keratitis (SPK), and 3 cases of delayed conjunctival wound healing. Topical MMC led to 6 cases of recurrence (6.9%), 5 cases of SPK, 4 cases of delayed conjunctival wound healing, and 2 cases of mild iritis. CONCLUSION: A single, intraoperative application of MMC is a simple, effective alternative adjunctive treatment for pterygium.