title: Liquefaction versus torsional IP: a comparative study on endothelial cells, corneal edema and corneal sensitivity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the impact of liquefaction and torsional IP cataract extraction methods on endothelial cell count (ECC), central corneal edema, and central corneal sensitivity (CCS) in a sample of cataract patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The liquefaction (LG) and torsional IP (TG) group consisted of 47 and 48 grade 2 cataract eyes, respectively. Uncorrected and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, ECC, central corneal thickness (CCT), and CCS were measured 1 day prior to surgery, 10 days, 1 and 3 months postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant difficulties in the nucleus fragmentation were encountered in 2 LG eyes, and they were excluded from the study. Both techniques provided excellent refractive outcomes (LG, p < 0.001; TG, p = 0.02). Nonsignificant differences were detected in CCT values at the final postoperative examination; however, TG patients presented higher CCT on the first postoperative day (p = 0.04). Both groups presented comparable significant reductions in ECC (LG, p < 0.001; TG, p < 0.001) and CCS (LG, p = 0.02; TG, p = 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both methods provide excellent refractive outcomes, with comparable impact on ECC and CCS. Liquefaction seems to provide less corneal edema; however, difficulties in nucleus fragmentation may be encountered even in grade 2 cataracts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece. labiris@usa.net
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Labiris
authors.forename: Zisis
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gatzioufas
authors.forename: Athanassios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giarmoukakis
authors.forename: Haris
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sideroudi
authors.forename: Vassilios P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Kozobolis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000379:methods*; D002452:Cell Count; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000473:pathology*; D055954:Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss / Q000209:etiology*; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity