AIM:To investigate the efficacy ofretrograde excision and embedding plus limbal stem cell autograft for recurrent pterygium.METHODS:Fifty-six cases (56 eyes) with recurrent pterygium received retrograde excision surgery with the head of pterygium embedded in the inferior conjunctiva. Then, the limbal stem cell autograft was transplanted to the corneoscleral wound.RESULTS:The corneal wound of 53 cases was smooth without any infiltration of fibrovascular tissues during the follow-up period for 8-24 months postoperatively 3 cases recurred.CONCLUSION:The efficacy of retrograde excision and embedding pluslimbal stem cell autograft for recurrent pterygium is definite and this surgery can prevent the recurrence of pterygium effectively. As it is easy to operate and can alleviate the symptoms of postoperative discomfort, this surgery should be widely applied.