Transplantation of amniotic membrane and limbal autograft for patients with recurrent pterygium associated with symblepharon

Aim. Treatment of recurrent pterygium associated with symblepharon requires both suppression of fibrosis and reconstruction of limbal barrier. To achieve this, human amniotic membrane was transplanted and limbal autografts performed. Methods. Four patients with severe symblepharon resulting from multiple surgeries for pterygium were treated. Human amniotic membrane was obtained at caesarean section and preserved until surgery. After excision of the fibrous tissues, the amniotic membrane was placed on the sclera, and a limbal autograft transplantation was performed using limbal tissues taken from the affected eye. Results. Recurrence of symblepharon was not observed in any of the patients and significant suppression of the subconjunctival fibrosis was achieved. Ocular movement improved in all cases. Complete remission of pterygium regrowth occurred in three cases, and a slight (about 1 mm) recurrence occurred in one case. The limbal donor site showed the presence of mild depressions without the formation of pseudopterygium. Conclusion. Transplantation of human amniotic membrane with a limbal autograft appears to be a promising surgical treatment for reconstructing the ocular surface in patients with recurrent pterygium associated with symblepharon.