Comparison of postoperative topical interferon-α2b versus intraoperative mitomycin C for pterygium recurrence prevention: a randomized clinical trial

Purpose To evaluate the effect of postoperative interferon-alpha 2b (IFN-α2b) ophthalmic drops versus intraoperative mitomycin-c (MMC) on preventing pterygium recurrence. Methods This prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted on patients who were candidates for pterygium surgery. A total of 75 patients were included in the study from December 2021 to December 2022, of which 64 patients (one eye each) were examined and analyzed based on the inclusion criteria. Then the patients were randomly assigned to control groups, intra-operative MMC (32 patients) and the intervention group, IFN-α2b drops after the operation (32 patients). All patients underwent pterygium surgery using the rotational conjunctival flap method. Results In terms of pterygium grading, 8 (12.5%), 25 (39.06%), and 31 (48.44%) eyes were in grades 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The average size of the pterygium was 3.6 ± 0.7 mm. The grade and size of pterygium had the same distribution in the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the level of post-operative clinical inflammation. The present study showed no significant difference in complications between the two groups ( p = 0.999). The recurrence rate in the control group was 9.4% (3 eyes), and 0% (no recurrence) in the intervention group ( p = 0.119). Conclusions interferon-alpha 2b group did not show a statistically significant difference in preventing pterygium recurrence compared to the mitomycin C group. The post-surgery administration of IFN-α 2b drops can effectively prevent pterygium recurrence with a comparable and even more compelling effect than MMC during surgery. Key message What is known: • Mitomycin-C is applied intra-operatively to reduce the recurrence risk of pterygium. What is new: • Interferon alpha-2b drops after pterygium surgery can prevent pterygium recurrence with a comparable effect and maybe even more effective than MMC during surgery. • There was no statistically significant difference between the intraoperative MMC and postoperative IF alpha-2b groups in the level of post-operative clinical inflammation and complications.