Incidence and Associated Factors of Anesthesia-Related Complications in Ophthalmic Surgeries: A 6-Year Retrospective Cohort Study

The incidence of anesthesia-related complications in ophthalmic surgeries remains inadequately studied, especially in large-scale cohorts. Current research primarily emphasizes particular ophthalmic procedures, resulting in a lack of comprehensive understanding of the incidence and contributing factors of these complications within a varied patient demographic at university-affiliated, tertiary care hospitals.

This study employed a retrospective cohort design, analyzing electronic medical records from 2017 to 2022 at the Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital. The Institutional Review Board approved the study. Data on anesthesia-related complications, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular incidents, were collected. Statistical analyses evaluated the incidence rates and identified significant risk factors by comparing patients with and without complications.

In a cohort of 3,982 patients, the incidence of complications related to anesthesia was determined to be 16.47%. Key predictors identified were extreme age categories, elevated ASA classifications, multiple attempts at intubation, and anesthetic durations exceeding 90 minutes. The establishment of a Pre-Anesthetic Clinic enhanced patient outcomes through comprehensive preoperative evaluations and risk assessments.

This study underscores the essential requirement for continuous evaluation of anesthesia-associated risks in ophthalmic surgical procedures. Structured preoperative evaluations can improve patient safety and reduce complications. The results indicate the need for modifications to institutional policies aimed at enhancing anesthesia care and facilitating positive postoperative outcomes.