Comparing Two Surgical Methods to Prevent Pterygium Regrowth

This study compares two surgical techniques for preventing the regrowth of a pterygium, a non-cancerous growth on the eye. After surgically removing the pterygium, surgeons will cover the area with either a flap of nearby tissue that is rotated into place (Rotational Flap) or with a free graft of tissue taken from under the upper eyelid (Autograft). The main goal is to see which method is better at preventing the pterygium from growing back over a 6-month period. A total of 342 patients with a primary pterygium will be randomly assigned to one of the two surgical groups.

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Key information

Conditions

Pterygium Conjunctival Diseases Eye Diseases

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

This is a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial to be conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital, Swat. The study aims to compare the efficacy of the Conjunctival Rotational Flap versus the Conjunctival Autograft in reducing recurrence rates following primary pterygium excision. Adult patients aged 18-60 with primary pterygium will be enrolled. Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups: Group A (Conjunctival Rotational Flap) and Group B (Conjunctival Autograft). The primary outcome measure is the absence of clinical recurrence, defined as fibrovascular tissue crossing ≥ 1 mm onto the cornea, assessed at the 6-month postoperative follow-up visit via slit-lamp examination. Secondary outcomes may include operative time and postoperative complications. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 23, with a p-value of ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18-60

Either gender
Primary pterygium

Exclusion criteria

• Collagen vascular disease

Autoimmune disorders
Pregnancy
Ocular surface infection
Previous limbal surgery
Recurrent or pseudo-pterygium
Ocular trauma
Corneal opacity/degeneration'

Treatment and study plan

Conjunctival Rotational Flap

Procedure

A surgical technique where adjacent conjunctival tissue, remaining partially attached, is rotated to cover the exposed sclera after pterygium excision.

Conjunctival Autograft

Procedure

A surgical technique where a free graft of conjunctiva is harvested from the superior bulbar conjunctiva and sutured or glued over the scleral defect after pterygium excision

Primary outcomes

Pterygium Recurrence Rate

Time frame: 6 months postoperatively

Absence of clinical recurrence, defined as a quiet ocular surface with no fibrovascular regrowth ≥ 1 mm onto the cornea, as measured by slit-lamp examination.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Muhammad Iqbal, MBBS

CONTACT

[email protected]

+923049208484

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluation of Conjunctival Rotational Flap Compared to Conjunctival Autograft After Surgical Removal of Primary Pterygium: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start: 2026
Primary completion: 2026
Study completion: 2026
First posted: Dec 11, 2025
Registry last updated: Dec 11, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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