Clinical Investigation into Posterior Capsule Rupture in Phacoemulsification Operations Performed by Surgery Trainees

This retrospective cohort study investigated the occurrence rate, correlative factors, and prognosis of posterior capsule rupture (PCR) in phacoemulsification operations conducted by surgery trainees. This study assessed the first 200 phacoemulsification surgeries performed by six surgery trainees between August 2016 and December 2018. Cases were divided into two groups depending on whether they fell within the first 100 surgeries performed by a trainee (first 100 cases group) or the last 100 surgeries (last 100 cases group). The following clinical data were analyzed: the occurrence rate of PCR, whether this complication arose in the phaco or irrigation/aspiration (IA) phase, the occurrence of vitreous loss, retinal detachment, and dropped nucleus, the site of intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, and postoperative visual acuity. Thirty-nine of the 1200 cases (3.25%) experienced PCR. The occurrence rates of PCR and vitreous loss were higher in the first 100 cases group than in the last 100 cases group (P=0.015 and P=0.017). PCR occurred more frequently in the phaco phase in the first 100 cases group and in the IA phase in the last 100 cases group (P=0.012). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of site of IOL implantation, the occurrence of retinal detachment or dropped nucleus, and postoperative visual acuity. With a supervising surgeon and the selection of suitable cases, the occurrence rate of PCR in phacoemulsification operations performed by surgery trainees could be controlled to the desired level. The phase in which PCR most frequently occurred and the likelihood of vitreous loss differed depending on the level of surgical experience of the trainees. It is a lengthy process for surgery trainees to reach the stage at which they can manage PCR and complex cataract surgery independently.