Suture-related complications after cataract surgery: a patient safety issue.

摘要

The recent case series by Lee et al.1 highlights the potential morbidity that may result from a retained corneal suture placed during routine cataract surgery via a clear comeal incision. We managed a similar case at our institution. Cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation via a superotemporal corneal incision had been performed in the right eye of a 67-year-old man 18 months previously at another hospital. The clinical appearance was suggestive of small-incision cataract surgery. On presentation to us, a retained 10-0 nylon corneal suture was found at 10 o'clock, associated with a 1.5 mm stromal abscess and hypopyon. The suture was loose. Microbiological culture of the suture revealed heavy growth of Staphy-lococcus aureus. The infective keratins responded well to antibiotic therapy, and the patient retained a corrected distance visual acuity of 20/30 despite residual corneal scarring.