The Effect of Oxygen Support Cage Material Use During Cataract Surgery on Operation Time, Anxiety, Physiological Parameters, and Patient Experiences: A Mixed Methods Study

This study is designed as a mixed-methods research project comprising two distinct but interconnected phases. The quantitative phase utilizes a randomized controlled experimental design to evaluate the physiological and clinical efficacy of a newly developed Oxygen Support Cage material. The qualitative phase employs a descriptive phenomenological approach to explore patients' in-depth subjective experiences, comfort levels, and perceptions regarding the device.

Patients assigned to the intervention group will undergo cataract surgery with the integration of the 3D-printed, biocompatible Oxygen Support Cage. This device is positioned over the patient's head area to elevate the sterile surgical drapes, effectively preventing direct contact and weight pressure on the patient's face, mouth, and nose. Concurrently, supplemental oxygen will be delivered into the cage micro-environment. This setup aims to maintain an optimal, stable oxygen concentration without high-velocity nasal flow, thereby mitigating mucosal dryness and potential cough reflexes. Patients assigned to the control group will receive the standard hospital protocol for cataract surgery, where supplemental oxygen is administered nasally via open-ended oxygen tubing beneath standard surgical drapes without any cage support.

Physiological parameters (including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and end-tidal carbon dioxide [EtCO2]) will be monitored and recorded chronologically at predefined intervals: 15 minutes before descending to the operating room (in the patient room), during specific intraoperative stages, and postoperatively in the recovery room. Anxiety levels and surgical durations will be documented accordingly.

Following the completion of the surgical procedures and quantitative data collection, a subset of participants from the intervention group will be invited to participate in semi-structured, face-to-face qualitative interviews. These interviews will focus on their sensory experiences, breathing comfort, confinement anxiety under the drapes, and overall satisfaction with the Oxygen Support Cage. By combining statistical findings with thematic analysis of patient narratives, the study aims to provide a holistic validation of the medical device's utility in clinical practice.