Efficacy and wound-temperature gradient of whitestar phacoemulsification through a 1.2 mm incision.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and wound-temperature gradients of WhiteStar micropulse technology using bimanual phacoemulsification without an irrigation sleeve through a 1.2 mm incision.


METHODS
Island Eye Surgicenter, Carle Place, New York, USA.


METHODS
Ten patients had bimanual phacoemulsification using micropulse technology without an irrigation sleeve through a 1.2 mm clear corneal incision. A thermocouple consisting of a 30-gauge copper wire was inserted into clear cornea directly adjacent to the wound to digitally record temperature gradients at the wound. Endothelial cell counts were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively in all patients.


RESULTS
All 10 patients maintained corneal clarity with no sign of thermal damage to the wound. The maximum corneal wound temperatures during phacoemulsification ranged from 24 degrees C to 34 degrees C, well below the temperature of collagen shrinkage. The endothelial cell loss at 3 months was 7%.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of the decreased thermal effect with WhiteStar technology, an irrigation sleeve over the phacoemulsification needle is superfluous. As a result, bimanual phacoemulsification can be safely performed through a 1.2 mm incision.
Donnenfeld
Eric D
ED
Department of Ophthalmology, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, New York, USA.
Olson
Randall J
RJ
Solomon
Renée
R
Finger
Paul T
PT
Biser
Seth A
SA
Perry
Henry D
HD
Doshi
Sima
S
D001831:Body Temperature; D002452:Cell Count; D003315:Cornea / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular / Q000379:methods; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012449:Safety; D014945:Wound Healing