title: The use of a 20-gauge valved cannula during pars plana phacofragmentation with a 23-gauge ultrasonic fragmatome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the usefulness of a 20-gauge cannula to maintain a self-sealing sclerotomy wound after 23-gauge phacofragmentation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study compared the suture rates after 23-gauge phacofragmentation when the 23-gauge cannula was temporarily replaced with a 20-gauge valved metal cannula versus when the 23-gauge fragmatome was inserted at the sclerotomy site without a cannula.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Whereas a sclerotomy was sutured in all 31 eyes in the without-cannula group, only one eye of 14 in the cannula group required a sclerotomy suture (P < .0001). However, there was one case of fragmatome tip fracture during fragmentation in the cannula group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A self-sealing sclerotomy wound can be maintained without suturing by using a 20-gauge metal cannula, but fragmatome tip fracture can occur during fragmentation.
authors.forename: Jee Taek
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Youngsub
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Eom
authors.forename: Jaemoon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Seong-Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kuhl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Huh
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D057785:Catheters; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012599:Sclerostomy / Q000379:methods*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D014821:Vitrectomy