Snatching: A modified cosmetic technique in pterygium surgery without using scalpel.

Abstract

AIM:

To evaluate the cosmetic surgical outcomes of primary corneal pterygia excision using the avulsion (snatching) technique.

METHODS:

A prospective, interventional study included twenty-five eyes of 25 patients with primary pterygium underwent excision were followed up for at least 6 months. In all patients, snatching (modified avulsion) technique was utilised to avulse the pterygium head off the corneal surface and remove any residual fibres by Colibri without need for keratectomy with a scalpel.

RESULTS:

The study involved 25 eyes of 25 patients with an average age of 42.5±56.5 years. The mean follow-up was 6 months. One-week post-op, 8 patients (32%) reported they can tell which is the operated eye but looked untouched while 17 (68%) patients reported that the operated eye looked red but is accepted. Twenty patients (80%) reported some discomfort while the remaining 5 patients (20%) reported no discomfort. Cornea examination showed a clear cornea in 18 eyes (72%), 6 eyes (24%) had mild keratitis, and 1 eye (4%) had clouding at the surgical site. Over an average of six months post-op follow-up period, all the patients (100%) reported they cannot tell which eye had the surgery and none (0%) of them reported discomfort. Examination of the cornea was clear in 24 (96%) eyes, but 1 (4%) eye had mild keratitis.

CONCLUSION:

Snatching (modified avulsion) technique was found to be effective, safe, and presents decent aesthetic appearance for the management of primary corneal pterygia when safety points are firmly followed.

• Authors: A N Kotb, N Soliman
• Journal: Journal francais d'ophtalmologie (J Fr Ophtalmol) Vol. 46 Issue 7 Pg. 756-762 (Sep 2023) ISSN: 1773-0597 [Electronic] France
• PMID: 37085358 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Humans
• Adult
• Middle Aged
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Pterygium (surgery, diagnosis)
• Prospective Studies
• Conjunctiva
• Cornea
• Follow-Up Studies
• Recurrence