Experimental use of an extracellular matrix graft in pterygium surgery

A 40-year-old man presented with a primary pterygium of the right eye and underwent pterygium excision using mitomycin C and placement of an extracellular matrix (ECM) adjuvant. As an adjuvant in pterygium surgery, ECM serves as a scaffold while promoting the growth of normal conjunctiva. Perioperatively, the ECM graft was found to be easily manipulated on the surgical field. It attached to the scleral bed with fibrin glue without complication. Postoperatively, there was no inflammation or local tissue reaction to the porcine ECM graft. At the most recent follow-up examination, 6 months postoperatively, there were no signs of recurrence of the pterygium past the limbus. This is the first report describing the use of ECM as an adjuvant to pterygium excision.