Outcomes of Trainee-performed MIGS at Parkland Memorial Hospital: A Retrospective Cohort Study

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: As the use of minimally invasive or microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) continues to expand, it is important to look at its outcomes in the hands of trainees. This study aims to examine the efficacy and safety of Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) goniotomy and endocyclophotocoagulation (ECP) with cataract extraction (CE) done by residents and fellows. METHODS: All cases of KDB or ECP performed with CE between 2012 and 2020 at Parkland were reviewed, excluding cases with multiple MIGS procedures or other procedures. RESULTS: A total of 153 eyes of 136 patients who underwent KDB and 125 eyes of 124 patients who underwent ECP were included. Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) decreased from 17.2 ± 5.2 at baseline to 15.4 ± 5.5 mm Hg at postoperative (post-op) month (POM) 12 in the KDB group (p = 0.02) and from 18.6 ± 6.3 at baseline to 15.1 ± 4.9 mm Hg at POM12 in the ECP group (p < 0.001), with wide variation in IOP change among subjects for both. The mean change in IOP across all time points was statistically significant for both groups. Medication counts were reduced from baseline at POMs 1, 3, and 6, but not 12, in both the KDB and ECP groups (p = 0.43 and p = 0.35, respectively). The rate of serious complications was very low; the most common complication was cystoid macular edema (CME) (six cases) and active inflammation beyond POM1 (15 cases) for KDB and ECP, respectively. CONCLUSION: Combined CE/MIGS procedures performed by trainees were safe but less efficacious in lowering IOP and medications compared to literature reporting outcomes of attending surgeons, apart from ECP/MIGS with regards to IOP lowering, which was found to be similarly efficacious. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Cataract extraction (CE) combined with KDB or ECP in the hands of trainees decreased mean IOP from baseline and was safe. IOP and medication reduction of MIGS/CE in the hands of trainees were overall lesser than reported values by attending surgeons. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Da J, Gillings M, Kamat S, et al. Outcomes of Trainee-performed MIGS at Parkland Memorial Hospital: A Retrospective Cohort Study. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2023;17(3):134–140.