[Surgical techniques to deal with lens nucleus' fragment of posterior capsular rupture during the phacoemulsification].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate some surgical techniques in dealing with a impending dropped nucleus when posterior capsular rupture during the phacoemulsification.


METHODS
The postoperative results of 18 cases (18 eyes) whose posterior capsular of lens ruptured with a impending dropped nucleus during the phacoemulsification were studied retrospectively. Three surgical techniques to prevent lens nucleus' fragments dropping into the vitreous cavity were applied. They are consecutive phacoemulsification with lower flowing rate and lower irrigation, injection of viscoelastic substance with high elasticity and anterior segment vitrectomy with no irrigation. The follow-up was 12-24 months (average, 18.2 months).


RESULTS
Except for a special case, no lens nucleus' fragments dropped into the vitreous cavity. Posterior chamber intraocular lens(IOL) was implanted primarily in all cases (18 eyes). Best corrected visual acuity was above 0.5 in 15 eyes (83.3%). The main complications included corneal edema and cystoid macular edema.


CONCLUSIONS
With safety, effectiveness and less complications, these three surgical techniques are suitable to deal with different types of impending dropped lens nucleus' fragments during the phacoemulsification. It is advisable to apply these techniques in clinical practice.
Chen
W
W
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510060, China.
Yang
W
W
Sha
Y
Y
Liu
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000379:methods