AIM: To compare the effect of interrupted suture and continuous interlocking suture in the surgery of pterygium excision combined with autologous coneal limbus stem cell transplantation.

METHODS: A total of 435 patients(482 eyes)with pterygium were randomly divided into two groups: 239 patients(263 eyes)in group A received interrupted suture, while 196 patients(219 eyes)in group B received continuous interlocking suture. During the postoperative follow-up of 6-12 months, the period of time from operation to opening eyes naturally(the time of opening eyes), the conditions of postoperative conjunctival granuloma and the postoperative recurrence rate were calculated.

RESULTS: The average time of opening eyes was 4.8±1.8d in group A and 2.6±1.1d in group B, respectively, demonstrating statistical difference(t=2.932, P<0.05). Nine eyes experienced concurrent appearance of conjunctival granuloma in group A and none appeared in group B, demonstrating statistical difference(χ²=7.637, P<0.05). Recurrence of pterygium occurred in 15 eyes(5.7%)in group A and in 11 eyes(5.0%)in group B, respectively, demonstrating no significant differences(χ²=0.108, P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Compared to interrupted suture, continuous interlocking suture does not reduce the recurrence rate for the patients receiving excision of pterygium combined with autologous coneal limbus stem cell transplantation. But it can significantly reduce the probability of the concurrent appearance of conjunctival granuloma, and obviously relieve the symptoms of eyes irritation.