title: Manual multi-phacofragmentation through a 3.2 mm clear corneal incision.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the postoperative astigmatism and complications after manual multi-phacofragmentation (MPF) cataract surgery through a 3.2 mm clear corneal incision (CCI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital General de Segovia, Segovia, Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective study, 50 eyes of 50 patients had cataract surgery by MPF. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to type of cataract. This technique uses a racquet-shaped nucleotome, a spatula, and 2 manipulators, right and left, for nuclear fragments. With these instruments, the nucleus is fragmented into multiple small pieces that are extracted from the anterior chamber. Astigmatism was evaluated before surgery and 7 days and 1 and 3 months after surgery by Gaussian distribution (P <.05). Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean postoperative astigmatism was 0.77 diopters (D) +/- 0. 29 (SD) at 7 days, 0.47 +/- 0.22 D at 1 month, and 0.21 +/- 0.22 D at 3 months. During surgery, 2 cases (4%) of slight transient intracameral bleeding in the anterior chamber occurred. After surgery, 5 eyes (10%) had corneal edema, 2 (4%) had iritis, and 3 (6%) had ocular hypertension.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using MPF, soft and hard nuclei can be removed through a 3.2 mm CCI. The astigmatic results were favorable and the complications few.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital General, Segovia, Spain.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez-Carmona
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002452:Cell Count; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology / Q000601:surgery*; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007267:Injections; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006820:Hyaluronic Acid