Complications by Ophthalmic Residents while doing Phacoemulsification Surgery: A Comparative Approach

Purpose: The purpose of our study is to compare the rates of complications by ophthalmic residents while doing phacoemulsification surgery with supervision or without supervision of attending.

Place of Study: Lahore General Hospital, Lahore.

Duration of Study: one year (February 2022 to February 2023).

Institution review board approval was obtained before the study was initiated. All cataract surgeries were done by third year and forth year residents , total of 50 in number were recorded. Results were analyzed and compared for the residents performing phacoemulsification surgery with supervision and without supervision.

Results: A Performa was circulated among 50 residents of ophthalmology and results were deduced.45 residents out of 50 residents (90%) performed phaco surgery without any complication under supervision.1 resident out of 50 residents (2%) had poor wound construction while doing surgery under supervision.2 residents out of 50 residents (4%) had Continuous Curvilinear Capsulorhexis run off while doing surgery under supervision .1 resident out of 50 residents (2%) had a posterior capsular rent without nucleus drop while working under supervision.1 resident out of 50 residents (2%) had a posterior capsular rent with nucleus drop while working under supervision.

Without supervision 30 residents out of 50 (60%) performed surgery without any complications.5 residents out of 50 (10%) had poor wound construction.5 residents out of 50 (10%) had Posterior capsular rent with nucleus drop .7 residents out of 50 (14%) had posterior capsular rent only. 3 residents out of 50 (6%) had CCC run off.

Conclusion: When residents perform surgery under supervision there is less chance of complications as compared to when the residents perform surgery without supervision so residents must perform surgery under supervision of seniors to avoid complications.