AIM:To study the clinical effect of limbal stem cell transplantation combined with amniotic membrane transplantation and mitomycin C for the treatment of recurrent pterygium. METHODS:Forty-seven patients (54 eyes) with recurrent pterygium were randomly divided into two groups:excision of pterygium and amniotic membrane transplantation being performed in group A(24 cases 28 eyes);excision of pterygium and limbal stem cell transplantation comined with amniotic membrane transplantation and mitomycin C being performed in group B (23 cases 26 eyes).All patients were performed the operation under microscope and had been followed up for two years. The recurrence rate was observed. RESULTS:Twenty-two eyes in group A were cured, 6 eyes recurred. Twenty-five eyes in group B were cured, 1 recurred. The recurrence rate was 21% in group A and 4% in group B. There was significant statistical difference between the two groups(χ2=11.6452,P=0.0006).The recurrence rate in group B was obviously lower than it in group A. CONCLUSION:Limbal stem cell transplantation combined with amniotic membrane transplantation and mitomycin C seems to be an effective treatment for recurrent pterygium, which has low recurrence rate.Futher research is necessary to observe the long term effect after surgery.