Decrease in complications during cataract surgery with the use of a silicone-tipped irrigation/aspiration instrument.
OBJECTIVE
To compare rates of vitreous loss during cataract surgery when a silicone-tipped irrigation/aspiration (I/A) instrument is used for cortex removal as opposed to a metal tip.


METHODS
Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, Texas, USA.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review of all patients who had cataract extraction by phacoemulsification by third-year ophthalmology residents between September 2000 and February 2004 was conducted. A silicone-tipped I/A instrument was used to remove cortex for all surgeries beginning in September 2002, whereas a metal I/A tip was used previously.


RESULTS
Of the 1072 cases performed with a metal I/A tip, there were 13 cases of vitreous loss during cortex removal (rate 1.2%) and 26% of all vitreous loss during that time occurred during cortex removal. Of the 805 cases performed with a silicone I/A tip, there was a single case (0.1%) of vitreous loss during cortex removal (P=.004); only 4% of all vitreous loss during that time occurred during cortex removal (P=.011).


CONCLUSIONS
The overall incidence of vitreous loss during cortex removal and the ratio of vitreous loss during cortex removal to all cases of vitreous loss were significantly decreased using the silicone-tipped I/A instrument.
Blomquist
Preston H
PH
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75300-9057, USA. preston.blomquist@utsouthwestern.edu
Pluenneke
Anne C
AC
D002983:Clinical Competence; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D007904:Lens Cortex, Crystalline / Q000601:surgery*; D008670:Metals; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000193:education / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012828:Silicones; D013396:Suction / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000473:pathology
D008670:Metals; D012828:Silicones