Does surgical technique influence cataract surgery contamination?
OBJECTIVE
To compare cataract surgery contamination rates in large-incision extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and phacoemulsification (PE), we studied 65 cases prospectively.


METHODS
Thirty-five cases were operated by large-incision ECCE (Group I) and 30 by PE (Group II). Conjunctival swab cultures were taken immediately before surgery and anterior chamber aspirate was taken for culture upon completion of surgery for each case.


RESULTS
Anterior chamber cultures were positive in 22.8% of the cases in group I and 23% in Group II. Frequencies of contamination in each group were no different (x2: 0.22, p>0.05). When the contaminations were evaluated in relation to operating time, prolongation of the operating time raised the contamination rate in Group I (p<0.05) but not in Group II (p>0.05). Silicone and PMMA intraocular lenses (IOL) were tested to see whether they had any additional risk of contamination. The frequencies of contaminated silicone IOL implanted cases (6/26) and contaminated PMMA IOL implanted cases (8/39) were similar (x2: 0.36, p>0. 05).


CONCLUSIONS
Although the architecture of the incision and irrigation dynamics provided an advantage to the PE technique as the operating time became longer, routine PE was not superior to classical ECCE with respect to contamination when performed in the same circumstances. Prolonging the operating time raised the contamination rate in classical ECCE.
Department of Ophthalmology, Ondokuz Mayis University, School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey. dr_feray@yahoo.com
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F
Koç
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Akçam
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Kuruoğlu
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Oge
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Günaydin
D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000382:microbiology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000382:microbiology*; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D013997:Time Factors
D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate