Surgery for pterygium using a conjunctival pedunculated flap slide.

Eight hundred and eighty patients (913 eyes) with primary pterygium who were surgically treated from 1983-93 were followed up for 5.7 years on average. Based on the large number of cases and a 10 year period of practice, it was found that pterygium excised with a pedunculated conjunctival flap slide was effective and safe in the treatment of primary pterygium. The recurrence rate of 1.6% (15 out of 913 eyes) in this series compared favourably with other reports. The characteristics and techniques concerning the operating process are described in detail.