Bimanual microphacoemulsification versus coaxial miniphacoemulsification: prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the outcomes of bimanual microphacoemulsification and coaxial miniphacoemulsification and assess the potential advantages of the former over the latter.


METHODS
Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Modena, Modena, Italy.


METHODS
In a controlled prospective clinical trial, 100 eyes of 50 patients with nuclear or corticonuclear cataract of grade 2 to 4 on the Lens Opacities Classification System III had phacoemulsification. Fifty eyes were randomized to have surgery by the bimanual technique and 50, by the coaxial technique. All surgeries were performed by the same surgeon using the same machine (Sovereign WhiteStar, American Medical Optics). In all cases, the incision was made superiorly in clear cornea and a hydrophobic acrylic flexible intraocular lens (Acri. Smart 48 S, Acri.Tec) was implanted. Intraoperative parameters were mean phacoemulsification time, total phacoemulsification percentage, effective phacoemulsification time (EPT), total volume of balanced salt solution (BSS) used, total surgical time, and final size of the corneal incision. Postoperative parameters were visual acuity, astigmatism changes by vector analysis, corneal thickness, endothelial cell count, and presence of flare and cells in the anterior chamber.


RESULTS
The only statistically significant difference between the 2 groups was the total volume of the BSS used (P = .004) and total surgical time (P = .045).


CONCLUSIONS
Both techniques were safe and effective for cataract surgery. With bimanual microphacoemulsification, significantly less BSS was used and the total surgical time was significantly shorter than with the coaxial method.
Cavallini
Gian Maria
GM
Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Modena, 41100 Modena, Italy. cavallini.gianmaria@unimore.it
Campi
Luca
L
Masini
Cristina
C
Pelloni
Simone
S
Pupino
Alessandro
A
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002452:Cell Count; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular / Q000379:methods; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
D000180:Acrylic Resins