Posters

Positioning for phacoemulsification in patients with explicit cervical kyphosis due to ankylosing spondylitis

Poster Details

First Author: A.Kemeny-Beke HUNGARY

Co Author(s):    A. Rentka   Z. Szekanecz   L. Modis Jr   A. Berta     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Patients in need of cataract extraction, suffering from ankylosing spondylitis with extended spinal deformities, including cervical kyphosis, can be a challenge for the ophthalmologist surgeon. It can be difficult to place patients with these deformities in a routine head-end or temporal position. Our aim was to describe a technique we use when performing cataract surgery on patients who are unable to lie flat.

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology, University of Debrecen

Methods:

Six ankylosing spondylitis patients with severe locomotor deformities who were unable to lie flat were enrolled in this study. All of them had been suffering from bilateral chronic anterior uveitis with posterior synechiae due to AS. Previously they had been operated on for cataract in one eye, and because of its intraoperative complications the second cataract surgery was cancelled. In our clinical practice we used a regular ophthalmological operating table, which allowed the patients' head to be reclined to a position of 60 degrees to the horizontal. Further positioning included reverse Trendelenburg position and neck rolls were utilized.

Results:

Successful phacoemulsifications were performed in all cases. The intra- and postoperative periods were uneventful in all patients and the visual outcomes were good.

Conclusions:

Ophthalmological operations, including cataract extraction, could be carried out on patients with ankylosing spondylitis, with the aid of positioning before the intervention. FINANCIAL INTEREST: NONE