title: Microwash or macrowash technique to maintain a clear cornea during cataract surgery.
abstract: We describe a technique of irrigating and thereby rapidly and effectively clearing the cornea of relatively large amounts of surface contaminants that reduce surgical visibility and may contribute to endophthalmitis. This technique is referred to as "macrowash." If the technique is required, it is usually at the commencement of cataract surgery, immediately after placement of the surgical drape. The technique not only saves time, but also reduces the volume of irrigating solution required by the "microwash" technique, which is traditionally carried out by the scrub nurse/surgical assistant using a Rycroft cannula attached to a 15 mL container of irrigating solution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Prince of Wales Hospital, the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Shahriar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amjadi
authors.forename: Athena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roufas
authors.forename: Edwin C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Figueira
authors.forename: Gaurav
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bhardwaj
authors.forename: Katherine E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Masselos
authors.forename: Ian C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Francis
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D002404:Catheterization; D003315:Cornea / Q000502:physiology*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D008903:Minerals / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; C030660:BSS solution; D004338:Drug Combinations; D008903:Minerals; D012965:Sodium Chloride