Related Experiment Videos
The application of statistical process control to horizontal strabismus surgery
Cindy A Self1, Robert W Enzenauer
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee College of Medicine-Chattanooga Unit, 975 E Third Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403, USA.
Summary
Statistical process control (SPC) charts analyzed strabismus surgery outcomes. The study found that surgical results for esotropia and exotropia fall within expected statistical variations, suggesting SPC can monitor and improve ophthalmic procedure variability.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biostatistics
- Quality Improvement
Background:
- Statistical Process Control (SPC) is a manufacturing quality tool.
- Its application in medicine, particularly ophthalmology, is infrequent.
- Standardized surgical procedures offer potential for SPC analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply SPC charts to analyze outcomes of horizontal strabismus surgery.
- To evaluate the success and validity of surgical guidelines for recession and resection procedures.
- To assess the applicability of SPC in managing ophthalmic surgical variability.
Main Methods:
- 95 patients undergoing one- or two-muscle horizontal strabismus surgery were evaluated over 33 months.
- Data were categorized into esotropia and exotropia groups.
- QI Analyst software was used for computerized SPC analysis.
Main Results:
- Outcomes of esotropia and exotropia repair followed normal statistical fluctuation.
- The surgical dose-response schedule resulted in ocular alignment within statistical control.
- A limited number of outliers were observed, consistent with random variation.
Conclusions:
- Resultant ocular alignment after strabismus surgery can be modeled by statistical fluctuation.
- SPC offers a valuable method for analyzing variability in ophthalmic procedures.
- Implementing SPC can lead to improved patient outcomes by reducing procedural variability.