Implementation of SICS (small incision cataract surgery) in humanitarian campaigns: Description of the surgical technique and review of the literature

Abstract

The aim of this article has been, on the one hand, to describe the use of MSICS (manual small incision cataract surgery) for the management of cataracts, especially mature ones, in relation to its particular utility in the field of humanitarian campaigns, for which a description of the MSICS technique has been made, subsequently a review of the available scientific literature has been carried out to verify the results of this technique in comparison with phacoemulsification and extracapsular surgery and to describe the importance of teaching this technique to all cataract surgeons, especially the ones participating in humanitarian campaigns. According to what has been found, MSICS is an excellent surgical technique and according to current evidence it seems to be the choice over phacoemulsification and/or the classic extracapsular technique in hyper mature cataracts, especially in the field of humanitarian campaigns, due to its lower rate of complications and the improvement in visual acuity obtained. According to the studies found, it would be possible for the experienced ophthalmologic surgeon to implement this technique since the learning curve is short. In addition, in the scenario of humanitarian campaigns, the cost per surgery and the surgical time are reduced. It can be concluded that MSICS should be part of the surgical repertoire of every cataract surgeon, especially in those who perform surgeries in humanitarian campaigns, since it provides shorter surgical time, lower cost and better results in complex cases.

Keywords: Blindness; Cataract; Catarata; Ceguera; ECCE; EECC; SCIS; SICS.