Intraoperative fracture of phacoemulsification sleeve.
BACKGROUND
We describe a case of intraoperative fracture of phacoemulsification sleeve during phacoemulsification surgery.


METHODS
Phacoemulsification surgery was performed in the left eye of a 58-year-old lady with grade II nuclear sclerosis & grade I cortical cataract. Towards the end of quadrant removal, there was anterior chamber instability with impaired followability of nuclear fragments. The distal part of the fractured sleeve remained inside the anterior chamber upon removal of the phacoemulsification probe. The retained sleeve was retrieved with a pair of forceps through the corneal incision site, which did not require widening. There was no missing fragments retained intraocularly and the patient had an uneventful recovery with vision of 20/25 at three months post-operatively.


CONCLUSIONS
Phacoemulsification sleeve fracture is an uncommon complication. With early identification of this condition and proper management, major complications can be avoided.
Department of Ophthalmology, United Christian Hospital, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, HKSAR, China. kennethli@rcsed.ac.uk
Jennifer W H
JW
Shum
Keith S K
KS
Chan
David
D
Wong
Kenneth K W
KK
Li
D000368:Aged; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000503:physiopathology; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000379:methods*; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D020878:Device Removal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D007907:Lens Nucleus, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology*; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012598:Sclerosis; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
D012965:Sodium Chloride