Posters

Evaluation of different IOL injector systems

Poster Details

First Author: A.Borkenstein AUSTRIA

Co Author(s):    E. Borkenstein                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Improvements in cataract surgery led to the availability of preloaded intraocular lens (IOL) delivery systems. These are expected to reduce overall surgery time while being safe and effective. This study evaluates the safety and manageability of the 2-component autoloading system SAFELOADER® (HumanOptics AG, Erlangen, Germany) and compares the results with those of another preloaded system (TECNIS iTec®; J&J Vision, Santa Ana, USA) or a manual implantation system (UNFOLDER® Platinum 1 Series, J&J Vision, Santa Ana, USA).

Setting:

Borkenstein & Borkenstein, private practice at Privatklinik der Kreuzschwestern Graz, Austria

Methods:

In this single centre prospective study, 167 eyes were implanted either with preloaded IOLs (Group 1: SAFELOADER®; n=67 and Group 2: TECNIS iTec®; n=50 eyes) or with a manual standard system (Group 3: UNFOLDER® Platinum 1 Series; n=50). IOL preparation time and implantation time were measured in seconds (s) for each device. The operating room (OR) workflow and handling of the device by the surgeon and the scrub nurse were rated by a grading system from 1 (very good) to 5 (very poor).

Results:

Preparation time was significantly faster in Group 1 (6.5s) and Group 2 (5.2s) than in Group 3 (26.9s) (p<0.0001). Implantation time was similar in all systems (7.2s to 7.3s). The overall OR workflow rating was significantly better for Group 1 (score 2.0) and for Group 2 (score 1.0) compared to Group 3 (score 5.0) (p<0.0001). The surgeon rated the SAFELOADER® and the iTec® handling (scores of 1.0) significantly better than the UNFOLDER® (score 2.5) (p<0.001). For the scrub nurse, the SAFELOADER® (score 1.0) was significantly better in handling than the iTec® (score 2.0) and the UNFOLDER® (score 4.0) (p<0.0001).

Conclusions:

The SAFELOADER® and iTec® preloaded systems were significantly faster in usage than the manually loaded system. However, the 2-component autoloading system SAFELOADER® was found to be more intuitive and easier to handle. Preloaded systems can enhance the OR workflow and increase safety!

Financial Disclosure:

None