Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Open Access

Abstract

Superior Mini Scleral Tunnel Approach for Cataract Surgery and Its Association with Endophthalmitis

John A. Musser, Ryan T. Wallace, Loren S. Seery, Tara E. Hahn and Craig J. Chaya*

Objective: Analyze 145,088 patients who received superior Mini Scleral Tunnel Incision (MSTI) phacoemulsification cataract surgery and their associated endophthalmitis incidence via a chart query methodology.

Methods: The electronic medical record of a single private practice with 6 surgical center locations was queried from 2013-2018 for all patients who received superior MSTI cataract phacoemulsification. Pre and post-surgery protocols were standardized across the six care delivery sites. Infection prevention included pre-operative 5% betadine application and post-operative topical antibiotics. The number of patients that developed cataract surgery-associated endophthalmitis, anterior/posterior capsular rupture, need for clear corneal/pars plana anterior vitrectomy, capsular stain usage and zonular pathology findings were evaluated via both International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code logs and follow-up note documentation.

Results: Three cases out of 145,088 (0.002%) patients who underwent phacoemulsification with a superior MSTI technique developed post-operative infectious endophthalmitis.

Conclusion: This multi-site private practice retrospective review represents the largest described group of patients undergoing phacoemulsification with a superior MSTI showcasing one of the lowest reported rates of cataract surgery-associated endophthalmitis known.

Published Date: 2022-12-02; Received Date: 2022-11-01