A Retrospective Review of Day-of-Surgery Cancellation of Elective Cataract Surgery in a Tertiary Referral Centre in Hong Kong

Purpose: To determine the causes of day-of-surgery cancellation of elective cataract surgery in a tertiary referral centre in Hong Kong and formulate evidence-based methods for reducing the number of cancellations of elective cataract surgery. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of the cataract surgery log from Day Surgery Center of Grantham Hospital from January 2021 to December 2022. Results: A total of 5746 cataract surgeries were scheduled from January 2021 to December 2022 in Grantham Hospital, Hong Kong and 124 cases were cancelled, which yielded a point prevalence of 2.16%. The highest number of cancellations was due to hypertension (23.4%), followed by conjunctivitis (18.5%) and recent unstable systemic conditions (12.9%). The time for the subsequent surgery to be performed after the cancellation was also analysed. Certain factors were associated with shorter postponement of surgery, such as chalazion, stye, and an uncooperative patient. While some factors were associated with longer postponement of surgery such as systemic disease of recent coronary artery disease, and atrial fibrillation. Conclusion: Same-day cancellation of elective cataract surgery in Hong Kong is within the range of efficient operating theatres; major causes include high blood pressure, conjunctivitis, and unstable systemic conditions. Most of the cancellation causes were preventable by preoperative assessment. It is important for ophthalmologists to identify the major risk factors to minimise the risk of surgery cancellation of operation date.