Authors' objectives: To assess the available evidence on the efficacy, safety and issues related with coverage policies for the biological tissue adhesive in conjunctival autograft for the surgical treatment of pterygium.

Authors' recommendations: Good quality evidence was found on the benefits of the use of fibrin glue versus conventional suture in patients with pterygium who undergo conjunctival autograft. However, this benefit was limited to reducing surgical times in fewer minutes and to a lower level of discomfort in the post-surgical period. No differences were found as regards complications or recurrence rate. Most studies were conducted on patients with primary pterygium, although one study was conducted in patients with recurrent pterygium and showed similar results. No clinical practice guidelines on conjunctival autograft in patients operated for pterygium were found and no health sponsors covering this type of surgeries were found either; therefore this technology is not mentioned in their coverage policies. Based on the evidence found, the use of fibrin glue in conjunctival autograft would benefit patients being operated for pterygium. However, due to the difference in costs between both techniques, a cost-effectiveness analysis should be carried out in order to make a proper decision as regards covering this technology.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2012

URL for published report: https://www.iecs.org.ar/home-ets/?cod_publicacion=1324&origen_publicacion=publicaciones

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Argentina

Organisation Name: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy

Contact Address: Dr. Emilio Ravignani 2024, Buenos Aires - Argentina, C1414 CABA

Contact Name: info@iecs.org.ar

Contact Email: info@iecs.org.ar

Copyright: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS)