title: [Surgical aspiration of secondary cataract. Success quotas and complications].
abstract: Cataracta secundaria ("Elschnig pearls") following extracapsular cataract extraction with IOL implantation can be treated by Neodymium-YAG laser capsulotomy or by surgical peeling. The major benefit of the peeling technique is the preservation of an intact posterior capsule. We retrospectively reviewed the peeling procedures (n = 224, mean age: 67 years) performed in our hospital from 1987 to 1990. The results were as follows: (1) In almost all cases (214/224) visual acuity was improved by the operation (mean improvement 0.16-->0.54); (2) major complications were: rupture of the posterior capsule in 9% (20 eyes), mostly (11 cases = 5%) associated with vitreous prolapse; retinal detachment in 1% (2 cases, one with, one without preceding rupture of the posterior capsule); persistnt corneal edema caused by endothelial decompensation in 1 case; (3) recurrence of cataracta secundaria after the first peeling was observed in 26%. Surgical peeling of cataracta secundaria improves visual acuity to about the same extent as Neodymium-YAG laser capsulotomy. It is not without risk, however, and complications occur, including retinal detachment. The possibility that a secondary cataract can reform must be taken into account.
authors.affiliation: Universitäts-Augenklinik Freiburg.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Janknecht
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Funk
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013396:Suction; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
vernacular_title: Die chirurgische Nachstarabsaugung. Erfolgsquote und Komplikationen.