Role of ultrasound energy in endothelial cell loss after phacoemulsification

Session Details

Session Title: Cataract Surgery Equipment/Instrumentation/Surgical Devices

Session Date/Time: Monday 09/10/2017 | 16:30-18:00

Paper Time: 16:36

Venue: Room 4.4

First Author: : F.Blasetti ITALY

Co Author(s): :    F. Spedale                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The aim of the study was to investigate the role of ultrasound energy in corneal endothelial cell loss after uneventful phacoemulsification performed by four different surgeons, two expert (A and B) and two in training (C and D), using the same phacoemulsification machine

Setting:

This retrospective study analyzed data from patients who underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery from March to June 2014 at the operative unit of ophthalmology, hospital of Chiari, Italy

Methods:

A total of 48 eyes of 48 patients (12 per each surgeon) were divided in 4 groups (A-B-C-D) and analyzed. Corneal endothelial cell counts were done by a single examiner in the central part of the cornea using a non-contact automatic microscope preoperatively and 30 days after surgery. The firmness of the nucleus was graded by Emery's classification prior to surgery. Statistical analysis was performed by using Student’s t test. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant

Results:

There was a not statistically significant difference in all groups about preoperative mean cell density, firmness of the nucleus, age and sex of patients. Difference between the two expert surgeons about endothelial cell loss (ECL) after 30 days was not statistically significant, whereas about the percentage of ultrasound (US) energy used it was. Difference between the two surgeons in training about ECL after 30 days was not statistically significant, whereas about the percentage of US energy used it was. Instead, difference about ECL after 30 days was statistically significant comparing the two expert surgeons with the two in training

Conclusions:

The results of the study would seem to reduce the role of ultrasound energy in endothelial cell loss after phacoemulsification: other factors, such as fluidics, surgery technique, time of surgery, could be more involved in cell loss and need to be investigated. Anyway, larger studies are necessary to confirm this result

Financial Disclosure:

NONE