ESCRS - FPM05.03 - Ambulatory Cataract Surgery Centre Without Perioperative Anaesthesia Care: A Prospective Cohort Study

Ambulatory Cataract Surgery Centre Without Perioperative Anaesthesia Care: A Prospective Cohort Study

Published 2022 - 40th Congress of the ESCRS

Reference: FPM05.03 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/y9hn-sr10

Authors: Raoul Kanav Khanna* 1 , Maxime Bigoteau 2 , Quentin Duroi 1 , Jean-Marie Baudet 2 , Malek Slim 2 , Tiphanie Pichard 2 , Pierre-Jean Pisella 1

1Ophthalmology,University Hospital of Tours, France,Tours,France, 2Ophthalmology,Jacques Coeur Hospital,Bourges,France

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the safety and patient satisfaction of a fast-track procedure for cataract surgery under topical anaesthesia without perioperative anaesthesia care for screened patients. 

Setting

This prospective single-centre study conducted between May and August 2018 included all cataract procedures in the Centre Ambulatoire de la Chirurgie de la Cataracte at the Hospital of Bourges, France.

Methods

Procedures were performed under topical anaesthesia without the presence of a nurse anaesthesiologist or anaesthesiologist, the patient had not fasted, and no peripheral venous line was placed. Only heart rate and oxygen saturation were monitored intraoperatively with pulse oximetry. Incidence and nature of intraoperative adverse events and surgical complications were recorded.

Results

In total, 651 cataract surgeries were performed among which 614 (94.3%) were uneventful. Thirty (4.6%) intraoperative adverse events and 8 (1.2%) surgical complications were recorded. All surgeries were successfully completed. No medical emergency team intervention or hospital admittance was encountered.

Conclusions

Owing to scarce anaesthesia ressources, cataract healthcare has to be reorganized. Evolutions in surgical practices are required and we believe that performing cataract surgery in an ambulatory cataract surgery centre without perioperative anaesthesia care is a safe procedure for screened patients. Especially during pandemic times, anaesthesia ressources may be more beneficial to more complex ophthalmic or non-ophthalmic surgeries.