Phacoemulsification learning curve: experience of a junior surgeon

Session Details

Session Title: Cataract Surgery Outcomes/Practice Styles/Biometry

Session Date/Time: Monday 12/09/2016 | 14:00-16:00

Paper Time: 15:24

Venue: Auditorium C6

First Author: : M.Belovari CROATIA

Co Author(s): :    H. Baric   D. Turk                 

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To assess outcomes and rates of complications of phacoemulsification during the first year of independent phaco cataract surgery.

Setting:

Department of ophthalmology, County Hospital Cakovec,Croatia

Methods:

One hundred ninety-eight eyes planned for routine phacoemulsification cataract surgery at the County hospital Cakovec, Croatia, were enrolled prospectively from February 2015 to February 2016. All eyes were operated on by the same surgeon using the CataRhex® phaco device (Oertli, Berneck, Switzerland). Sociodemographic and clinical (cataract degree, relevant medical history) data were collected at baseline. Primary outcomes were postoperative visual acuity at one week, one month, and three months, patient satisfaction, and intraoperative/postoperative complications. Secondary outcomes were pain sensation during surgery, phacoemulsification time and total operation time. Data were analyzed across three-month groups (n=48, per each group).

Results:

There was a significant difference in UCDVA, phacoemulsification time and total operation time across groups. There were significantly lower rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications in the later compared to the earlier trimesters.

Conclusions:

Our results support the view that continuous work and learning help in mastering the art of phacoemulsification. Phacoemulsification training during residency is one of the most important components of a curriculum for ophthalmic education.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE