Wound Dehiscence following Cataract Surgery in Children: a Report of Seven Cases

Abstract

Summary Objective: To determine the incidence and causes of wound dehiscence as well as assess the outcome of management in children who had cataract extraction between July 2002 and June 2005. at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Methods: A retrospective review of the operations register and case records of patients aged 16 years and below who underwent cataract surgery was carried out, to identify those who developed wound dehiscence necessitating surgical repair. Results: Seventy four eyes of 52 children underwent cataràct surgery during the study period. (9.5 percent) had post operative wound dehiscence requiring surgical repair. Trauma was responsible for five (71.4 percent) of the cases. Visual outcome was poor following repair, in four of the seven eyes.. Conclusion: Wound dehiscence is not an uncommon complication after cataract surgery in children at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Special attention should be paid to reducing the risk for ocular trauma in addition to the surgical technique and wound closure. Advice to care-givers on protection of the eyes of these children is a very important part of management