CORNEAL ENDOTHELIAL-CELL LOSS FOLLOWING PHACOEMULSIFICATION USING THESMALL-PORT PHACO

We studied the extent of corneal endothelial injury after phacoemulsif ication using the Small-Port Phaco (SPP), a new phacoemulsification in strument that allows linear aspiration during phacoemulsification. Of 72 eyes undergoing phacoemulsification, the SPP was used in 33 (group 1) and a standard phacoemulsification instrument in 39 (group 2). Endo thelial cell density was examined by specular microscopy preoperativel y and at 1 and 3 months after surgery, and the percentage of endotheli al cell loss was evaluated. Operative factors influencing endothelial injury such as the duration of ultrasound emission, the ultrasound pow er expended, and the amount of irrigating solution used also were meas ured. The percentages of endothelial cell loss at both 1 and 3 months were significantly less (P < .05) in group 1 than in group 2 (in group 1, 4.3 +/- 3.4% at 1 month, and 5.6 +/- 3.8% at 3 months; in group 2, 6.9 +/- 4.6%, and 8.3 +/- 5.4%, respectively). The duration of emissi on was shorter and the ultrasound power discharged was smaller in the SPP cases. Since the total ultrasound energy emitted in the SPP cases was less than that in the standard-instrument cases, we conclude that the reduced corneal endothelial damage observed in group 1 was directl y related to the smaller total ultrasound power expended in these case s.