Comparing stress indicating parameters of surgeons with different levels of experience during each step of cataract surgery

Session Details

Session Title: Training & Surgical Practice

Session Date/Time: Tuesday 25/09/2018 | 16:00-18:00

Paper Time: 16:06

Venue: Room A2

First Author: : J.Falasinnu AUSTRIA

Co Author(s): :    F. Starzengruber   S. Palkovits   N. Hirnschall   M. Bijak   O. Findl        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Purpose of this case study was to assess whether more experienced surgeons showed lower stress during cataract surgery compared to junior surgeons.

Setting:

Vienna Institute for Research in Ocular Surgery (VIROS), Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria

Methods:

Four surgeons with different levels of experience were included. Each surgeon performed four consecutive cataract surgeries. Stress indicating parameters were measured continuously during a stress test minutes before and during cataract surgery: heart rate and its' variability, electric skin conductance, muscle tone and respiration. Immediately after surgery every surgeon provided a subjective assessment of his stress level during surgery.

Results:

The stress indicating parameters were highest during the first surgery, but tended to decrease during the following operations. Concerning the intermediate and beginner surgeon, significant variations of the parameters were found with slight changes from the routine and during the steps that may turn into pitfalls like capsulorhexis and phacoemulsification. Detailed analyses will be presented.

Conclusions:

Evaluation of a surgeon's stress level during cataract surgery is possible using the mentioned parameters. Preliminary results suggest, that the first surgery of the day is more stressful than the following procedures. Less experienced surgeons are more likely to have higher stress levels in certain difficult situations.

Financial Disclosure:

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