A survey about phacoemulsification incision thermal contraction incidence and causal relationships.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain the rate and related factors of phacoemulsification wound burns.


METHODS
Survey.


METHODS
We conducted a survey of 523 ophthalmologists in Utah, Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, and Oregon.


RESULTS
One hundred six doctors (20.3%) responded and provided data on 76,581 procedures and 75 wound burns (0.98/1000 procedures). Twenty-one wounds (28%) occurred during early sculpting, and 53 wounds (71%) occurred during fragment removal. Wound burns were found to be associated with surgical approach (P = .003), phacoemulsification unit (P = .007), and unit settings (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Wound burns continue to be a serious complication; however, advances in technology and surgical technique help.
Bradley
Michael J
MJ
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, and University of Utah Health Sciences Center, 50 North Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
Olson
Randall J
RJ
D001831:Body Temperature; D003286:Contracture / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012590:Sclera / Q000293:injuries*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014945:Wound Healing