Comparing Resident Outcomes in Cataract Surgery at Different Levels of Experience: A retrospective case series

Abstract

BackgroudTo evaluate outcomes of resident-performed cataract surgeries in different training levels in a retrospective case series.MethodsA total of 730 surgeries performed by residents were evaluated into three groups: surgeries performed during residents’ first semester of training in phacoemulsification (S1), surgeries performed during the second semester (S2), and surgeries performed during the third semester (S3). The primary outcome was the incidence of intraoperative complications in each group. Secondary outcomes were the comparisons between initial and final corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), endothelial cell density (ECD), and central corneal thickness (CCT) in each group. Descriptive statistical analyses were employed in the presentation of the results using central tendency and variance measurements. The groups’ continuous variables were compared using the t-test or ANOVA (parametric variables) or the Mann-Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis tests (non-parametric variables). Statistical analyses of the categorical variables were performed using Fisher’s exact test or the chi-squared test.ResultsThe rate of complications within six weeks of follow up was 24 out of 102 eyes (23.53%) in the S1 group, 63 out of 301 eyes (20.93%) in the S2 group, and 37 out of 327 (11.31%) in the S3 group (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in CDVA (p = 0.298), ECD (p = 0.067), IOP (p = 0.217), or CCT (p = 0.807) between the groups.ConclusionsWhen measured by rates of complications and by the aforementioned parameters, surgical competency was found to improve as surgical experience and frequency increased. Therefore, this study identified some patterns of skill development that can be applied to teaching strategies and better assist surgeons in training.