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Speaker suggests ways to improve error rate in strabismus surgery
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 Tina Rutar |
SAN ANTONIO — Wrong procedure, wrong muscle, wrong eye and wrong patient are among the types of errors ophthalmic surgeons may commit while performing strabismus surgery, a speaker said here.
"Ophthalmology is second only to neurosurgery as having the highest rate of surgical error," Tina Rutar, MD, said at the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus meeting.
The Universal Protocol established in 2004 by the Joint Commission is intended to decrease surgical error through patient verification, site marking, and providing for a time-out before performing the procedure, but for ophthalmic surgeons performing strabismus surgery, Dr. Rutar suggested additional measures.
Prevention strategies include empowering assistants to ensure that the surgical plan matches the patient's deviation on the day of surgery, marking eye muscle and procedure rather than just the eye, and using common terminology that is not easily confused.
"Use terminology that everyone can understand, such as 'weakening' or 'strengthening' rather than 'recessing' or 'resecting,'" Dr. Rutar said.
- Disclosure: Dr. Rutar has no relevant financial disclosures.