Protracted ruthenium treatment of recurrent pterygium.

By combining excision with 106ruthenium irradiation in 17 patients previously operated on for persistently recurrent pterygium, we have devised an effective therapy that produces virtually no side effects and further prevents events recurrence. The ruthenium applicator shell was left in place for 2-3 h, yielding a total dosage of 2000 cGy. Only 2 of 17 patients suffered even slight recurrences, and 2 more had either motility disturbance or corneal haze. Through application of the internationally accepted total dosage of 2000 cGy, but at a relatively low dose rate, which especially protects the tissue responsible for proper healing, strong support is provided for the principle of protracted irradiation in recurrent (and possibly even primary) pterygium, permitting milder treatment and fewer recurrences.