Factors affecting cataract surgery operating time among trainees and consultants

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Outcomes
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Optimizing operating room efficiency is crucial for healthcare systems.
• Cataract surgery is a common procedure where time optimization can significantly impact patient flow and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key factors influencing cataract surgery operating time.
• To inform operating room planning, enhance patient experience, and manage costs.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 9552 primary manual phacoemulsification cataract surgeries.
• Data included demographics, anesthesia, surgeon grade, case complexity, pupil size, use of pupil expansion devices, and intraoperative complications.

Main Results:

• Operating times varied by surgeon grade and anesthesia type, with topical anesthesia being fastest.
• Small pupils, use of capsular tension rings (CTR) or pupil expanders, and intraoperative complications (e.g., posterior capsule rupture, vitreous loss) significantly increased operating time.
• Iris hooks increased operating time more than Malyugin rings.

Conclusions:

• Anesthesia type, surgeon grade, case complexity, pupil size, pupil expansion device use, and intraoperative complications are significant determinants of cataract surgery duration.
• Understanding these factors can lead to improved surgical planning and resource management.