Sandwich fibrin glue technique for attachment of conjunctival autograft during pterygium surgery

OBJECTIVE: To report the results of a sandwich application of fibrin glue compared with the standard method of using fibrin glue for the attachment of the conjunctival autograft in pterygium surgery. PARTICIPANTS: The study group consisted of 56 consecutive eyes with primary pterygium. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis comparing the standard method of using fibrin glue for the attachment of the conjunctival autograft during pterygium excision surgery versus the "sandwich technique." In the "sandwich technique," the thrombin component of the fibrin glue was applied after the graft was secured in position over a bed of fibrinogen. RESULTS: Graft dehiscence occurred in 3 eyes in the conventional group only. Recurrence occurred in 2 eyes in the conventional group and 1 eye in the sandwich group. None of the values reached statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The sandwich technique simplifies conjunctival graft fixation during pterygium surgery with conjunctival autograft by allowing more time to properly position the autograft before fibrin clot formation.