Résumé
Purpose: recurrent pterygia is a surgical challenge because of a high recurrence rate and adhesions with surrounding tissues. A second operation requires an effective alternative against a new assault as well as a tissue allowing good stabilization of the ocular surface. This study reports the use of oral mucous graft transplant during pterygium re-operation in patients with recurrent pterygia. Design: retrospective, non-comparative, monocentric, interventional case series. Participants: patients with recurrent pterygium, with prior surgery for pterygium, who underwent oral mucous grafting. Methods: review of 10 consecutive patients with recurrent pterygia; patients underwent pterygium re-operation with an oral mucosa graft. Clinical findings were recorded in both the preand post-operative periods. Surgery included pterygium excision, excision of adhesions and scar tissue, sampling, preparation and fixation of the oral mucosa graft, and placement of a sheet of cryopreserved amniotic membrane. Results: surgeries were successful and there were no complications. Two patients experienced recurrence and required a new intervention. All symblepharons and oculomotor motricity limitations were treated effectively. All epithelial defects healed quickly. Conclusions: oral mucosa grafting should be considered as a treatment option for difficult cases of recurrent pterygia. The grafting leads to a low recurrence rate and helps treat pterygium complications such as symblepharon or motricity restrictions.