Microbiologic analysis of aqueous humor in phacoemulsification

Purpose: This study was designed as a microbiologic survey of the fluids as pirated from the anterior chamber at the end of cataract extraction perform ed by phacoemulsification, and to correlate the contamination rate of the a nterior chamber to the surgical technique used. Methods: One hundred and one consecutive patients (126 eyes) who underwent cataract extraction by phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocula r lens implantation were included in the study. Microscopical examination, culture, and determination of the number of colonies were carried out on th e bacteria and fungi in the anterior chamber fluids aspirated at the end of surgery, before final suture placement. Results: Anterior chamber fluids yielded positive cultures in nine specimen s (8.14%), six of which were identified as coagulase-negative staphylococci . Quantification disclosed colony counts ranging between 2-10 and 10-40 per mL. Conclusions: Preliminary results in a small population show that the contam ination of the aqueous humor is significantly less frequent if the cataract extraction is performed by phacoemulsification. Jpn J Ophthalmol 1999;43:1 62-165 (C) 1999 Japanese Ophthalmological Society.