This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Fibrin glue and amniotic membrane transplant successfully treat pterygium
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
 John A. Hovanesian |
WAILEA, Hawaii — Amniotic membrane transplant with fibrin adhesive instead of sutures is a safe and effective treatment for pterygium, a speaker said here.
In a presentation at Hawaiian Eye 2009, John A. Hovanesian, MD, said, "If you use fibrin adhesive, you are going to get good results."
Grafting promotes epithelial healing and inhibits fibroblast proliferation, Dr. Hovanesian said. In addition to causing less inflammation than sutures, the adhesive cuts surgery time in half.
Pain scores using fibrin adhesive were significantly lower than pterygium surgery using sutures, he said.
The two adhesives available in the United States, Tisseel from Baxter and Evicel from Johnson & Johnson, work equally as well, he said.
"Fibrin adhesive improves comfort and healing time after pterygium surgery, and amniotic membrane simplifies surgery, improves cosmesis and preserves the native conjunctiva," Dr. Hovanesian said.