Resident Performed Sutureless Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS): Outcomes

Abstract

Purpose To show the surgical and visual outcomes of a resident-performed manual small incision cataract surgery. Study Type Retrospective observational case series. Study Setting Ruby Eye Hospital. Materials and Methods Manual small incision cataract surgery was performed on 339 uncomplicated cataract cases by three in-house residents. Preoperative visual acuity and vision with a pinhole were meticulously noted in the record sheets. All patients underwent thorough preoperative evaluation with the help of a slit lamp. Eyes with corneal guttae, un-dilated pupils, pseudo-exfoliation, raised intraocular pressure and posterior segment abnormalities were excluded from the study. The mean patient age was 59 years (min: 47 years and max: 85 years). Forty-seven percent were males, and the rest were females. The mean uncorrected preoperative visual acuity recorded was 1.3 logMAR units (max: 1 and min: 1.6, Std dev: 0.4). Forty-two percent of the eyes had dense nuclear cataracts (≥ Nuclear Sclerosis grade III from LOCS II). Results The mean postoperative visual acuity recorded was 0.4 logMAR units [standard deviation 0.3 logMAR units (max: 1 and min: 0.1 p-value <0.001)]. Forty-three cases (12.6%) had tunnel-related complications (premature entry/button hole). Thirty-six cases (10.6%) had iatrogenic prolapse of the iris tissue. Eight cases (2.3%) had a runaway capsulorhexis, while 18 cases (5.3%) had iatrogenic posterior capsular rupture. Two cases (0.58%) had a large zonular dialysis. Ten cases (2.9%) were retaken to the operating room again for repeat intervention. Conclusion The ophthalmic resident learning curve for manual small incision cataract surgery is steep, unlike what is reported in the literature. A good training program with a special emphasis on wound construction is of paramount importance for future residents.