A Case Of A Missing Conjunctival Autograft Following Pterygium Surgery

To report an unusual case of conjunctival autograft dislodgement following pterygium surgery, where the graft was successfully retrieved, sterilized, and repositioned.

A secondary District eye care hospital in South India

A 55 year old female patient underwent pterygium excision with conjunctival autografting secured using autologous serum. On the first postoperative day, the graft was found missing from the surgical site and later discovered on the patient’s eye pad. The graft was retrieved, sterilized in 5% povidone-iodine (betadine) solution, and repositioned at the recipient site using sutures. The patient was monitored for graft viability, signs of infection, and postoperative outcomes.

The repositioned graft successfully adhered to the recipient site without signs of necrosis, infection, or inflammation. The surgical site healed well, with no recurrence of the pterygium observed during follow-up. The patient achieved satisfactory cosmetic and functional outcomes.

This case highlights the rare occurrence of conjunctival autograft displacement following pterygium surgery with autologous serum. Timely identification, careful sterilization, and repositioning of the graft can lead to successful outcomes without complications. This report underscores the importance of postoperative vigilance and the potential for salvaging dislodged autografts in similar situations.