Posters

Effect of operator experience on cataract operation length

Poster Details

First Author: J.Purdy UK

Co Author(s):    M. Eleftheriadou   P. Lin                 

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To determine the effect of operator experience (measured in number of previous surgeries) on operation length.

Setting:

Moorfields Eye Centre, Croydon University Hospital

Methods:

1029 cataract operations (i.e. phaco + IOLs) that took place between January-June 2019 were analysed. Data on the operation length and level of experience of the surgeon (in number of previous operations performed) were collected. In addition, data relating to lens factors, patient factors and intraoperative complications was also collected.

Results:

For the sake of this abstract 212 cases were analysed. The results demonstrated a decrease in the mean operation length with increasing operator experience. While this decrease was demonstrated to be statistically significant between operations lengths for 300+ and 200-300 the other differences were not demonstrated to be statistically significant. Surgeon's experience (no. of operations) Average operation length (95% CI) >500 16:48 (±1:24s) 300 and above 19:18 (±1:19s) 200-300 24:24 (±1:48s) 100-200 25:30 (±2:06s) 50-100 30:42 (±5:30s) <50 32:48 (±3:22s)

Conclusions:

A statistically significant difference in average operation length can be drawn between surgeons of more starkly differing experience (e.g. <50 vs 100-200 operations and 100-200 and 300 and above), although the above results do not demonstrate such a difference between surgeons of more similar experience (aside from 200-300 vs 300+). This may well change with inclusion of all the data collected. Further, the inclusion of and mitigation for other factors which may have affected the difficulty of each operation will also likely impact upon the findings.

Financial Disclosure:

None