title: Trimanual Anterior Vitrectomy: A Novel Technique to Manage Vitreous Loss during Phacoemulsification.
abstract: We report 2 cases illustrating the use of a new technique to manage vitreous loss during phacoemulsification, which we have termed 'trimanual' anterior vitrectomy. In each case, after recognizing posterior capsule tear, the remaining nuclear pieces were removed with low-parameter phacoemulsification. The remaining cortical material was then removed using bimanual irrigation and aspiration handpieces while the assistant surgeon inserted the vitrectomy probe through a separate 1-mm limbal incision. The vitrectomy probe was held below the plane of the posterior capsule tear, used to cut the vitreous and to provide a mechanical blockade to potentially descending lens material. While this technique involves the potentially awkward simultaneous use of 3 intraocular instruments, we believe that there are several advantages over standard bimanual anterior vitrectomy.
authors.affiliation: John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas, Little Rock, Ark., USA.
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Taggart
authors.affiliation: John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas, Little Rock, Ark., USA.
authors.forename: R Grant
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Morshedi
authors.affiliation: John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas, Little Rock, Ark., USA.
authors.forename: Balamurali K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Ambati
keywords: Cataract surgery; Phacoemulsification; Posterior capsular tear; Trimanual; Vitrectomy