Femtosecond cataract system in an academic teaching institution. Can it reduce complications during training?

Poster Details

First Author: J.De la Cruz USA

Co Author(s):    M. Cortina   A. Traish           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The demonstrate how incorporating a Femtosecond Cataract System can augment the teaching component of cataract surgery as well as having the potential of improving visual outcomes and reducing rate of complications among ophthalmology residents during their initial surgical training.

Setting:

University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, Chicago Illinois.

Methods:

Six third year ophthalmology residents incorporated the use of femtosecond cataract surgery during the beginning 3 months of their cataract surgical experience. The LenSx Femtosecond Cataract System (Alcon) was used to perform a 5 mm capsulotomy as well as the nuclear fragmentation during the initial 5 cases. This portion of the procedure was performed by the attending surgeon while the rest of the procedure was done by the resident. For every femtosecond performed capsulotomy the resident did 5 wet lab sessions demonstrating his ability to successfully complete a curvilinear capsulorrhexis lens removal on a pig eye. Visual outcomes, rate of complications such as anterior capsule rents, tears, inadequate size of capsulorrhexis, were compared to the previous years without the use of femtosecond technology.

Results:

Complication rates of residents in the three previous years without the use of femtosecond cataract were compared to the Femtosecond study group. The Femtosecond group showed a reduction of over 20% in the rate of capsule related complications. The cases that still had anterior capsule related complications were related to incomplete capsulotomy by femtosecond system or by phacoemulsification probe induced rupture during lens removal.

Conclusions:

During cataract surgery training one of the greatest initial fears in complications is the inability to perform an adequate capsulorrhexis. Parallel intense incorporation of wet lab training for the manual skills required for cataract surgery and the incorporation of femtosecond cataract technologies can potentially reduce initial complications during training as the resident gains confidence and skill through practice in the wet lab and operating room scenarios. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE?: No