Phacoemulsification in a patient with marked cervical kyphosis

A patient with long-standing ankylosing spondylitis and chronic uveitis nee ded cataract extraction in his only eye. Extensive spinal deformities, incl uding cervical kyphosis, prevented him from being positioned satisfactorily for surgery using a routine head-end or temporal position for the surgeon. The best possible position for surgery was achieved using an orthopedic op erating table, which allowed the patient's head to be reclined to a positio n of 60 degrees to the horizontal. Successful combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy was then performed, although the angle of approach for t he surgeon and the operating microscope was awkward. J Cataract Refract Sur g 2000; 26:1258-1260 (C) 2000 ASCRS and ESCRS.