The authors undertook this study to characterise the practice patterns of paediatric ophthalmologists regarding their use of infection prophylaxis and timing of the first postoperative visit after strabismus surgery. A 10-question multi-choice questionnaire was circulated via American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) with an estimated 45.6% response rate. There were 380 fully completed surveys: 96.3% did not usually prescribe topical antibiotics prior to surgery; 96.8% did not usually prescribe IV antibiotics during surgery; 88.4% instilled 5% povidone-iodine solution as surgical preparation; 25% instilled 5% povidone-iodine at the conclusion of surgery; 32.4% isolated the eyelashes with tape or adhesive drape; 4% soaked sutures in 5% povidone-iodine or antibiotics; 90% instilled topical antibiotics at the end of surgery; 85.5% prescribed a course of antibiotics for use after surgery. Ophthalmologists routinely see patients for the first postoperative day on day one (21.1%), day two to three (17.1%), day four to five (18.2%), day six to seven (28.2%) and day eight onwards (15.5%). A total of 44.5% had previously had a patient with postoperative infection including orbital cellulitis, endophthalmitis and preseptal cellulitis. The results show some common practices for povidone-iodine and antibiotic use but no practice agreement for postoperative first visit.
Infection prophylaxis and first visit timing for strabismus surgery
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe
Strabismus surgery infection prophylaxis and timing of first postoperative visit.
CONTRIBUTOR
Fiona Rowe (Prof)
Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, UK.
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