Contribution of the Kansas technique for limiting complications of mature cataract surgery

Purpose: We report our experience with the Kansas technique of phakosection which eliminates or limits most complications of classic manual extracapsu lar extraction. Patients and methods: This retrospective study included our first 80 patien ts undergoing surgery for mature cataract between May 1996 and May 1998 whe re we used the Kansas technique. We compared outcome with a group of 30 pat ients who underwent classic manual extracapsular extraction in a study perf ormed in 1995 by the same surgeon in the same hospital. Results: Per- and post-operative complications were significantly lower wit h phakosection. Functional rehabilitation was quicker, better and provided better patient comfort. Discussion: Despite some difficulties encountered in a public hospital (vis coelastic excessively fluid and in small quantity, lack of suitable knives or reuse of sterilized disposable knives), we found that the Kansas techniq ue is very well adapted to mature cataracts and our working conditions. Conclusion: Phakosection allowed us to give our patients with mature or ver y mature cataracts the benefit of small incisions. With a moderate increase in cost, this technique significantly reduced our per- and post-operative complication rates and gave quicker and better visual recovery. in our coun tries, this technique provides better care than phakoemulsification.