New Classification for the Reporting of Complications in Retinal Detachment Surgical Trials

Quantifying severity of complications in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) surgical trials is needed. A consensus classification system will help surgeons to more effectively compare harms of different surgical techniques.

To develop a new consensus-based classification to quantify severity of complications of RRD surgery.

A comprehensive list of complications was developed followed by a Delphi consensus survey of international vitreoretinal surgeons. The survey was conducted in 17 countries in mainland Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Asia, South Africa, and Australia. Seventy vitreoretinal surgeons were invited to take part in the Delphi survey; 45 agreed to participate. Participants were selected through boards/members lists of retinal societies. Data were analyzed between April 2019 and August 2019.

Consensus-derived classification of complications of RRD surgery, according to their severity.

Forty-three of 45 vitreoretinal surgeons who agreed to participate in the Delphi survey completed round 1 (96%); all but 1 (98%) completed round 2. Consensus was reached for 96% of the 84 complications assessed. Examples of complications classified as least severe (graded 1) included subconjunctival hemorrhage and chemosis while those classified as most severe included endophthalmitis and sympathetic ophthalmia (graded 9) and phthisis (graded 10).

We propose a new classification for quantifying severity of surgical complications based on an international consensus of vitreoretinal surgeons to quantify harm and improve the reporting of complications of RRD surgery.