Phaco-chop versus stop-and-chop nucleotomy for phacoemulsification

Purpose: To perform a comparative evaluation of phaco-chop versus stop-and- chop nucleotomy techniques of phacoemulsification. Setting: Dr. Rajendra Prasad Center for Ophthalmic Sciences, New Delhi, Ind ia. Methods: Forty eyes of 40 patients with immature senile cataract were inclu ded in the study. Twenty eyes each were randomly assigned to have phaco-cho p (Group I)or stop-and-chop (Group 2) nucleotomy during phacoemulsification . The main parameters were corneal endothelial count, effective phaco time, volume of infusion fluid used, central corneal pachymetry, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and intraoperative complications during nucleotomy. F ollow-up visits were scheduled at 1, 4, and 12 weeks. Results: The mean effective phaco time was 27 seconds +/- 18 (SD) in Group 1 and 28 +/- 18 seconds in Group 2. The mean corneal endothelial cell loss was 6.89% and 7.17%, respectively, at the end of 12 weeks. The difference b etween groups was not significant. An anterior capsule tear occurred in 3 e yes in Group 1 and 1 eye in Group 2. All eyes achieved a BCVA of 20/20 at t he end of 4 weeks. There were no significant between-group differences in a ny intraoperative or postoperative parameter. Conclusion: The phaco-chop and the stop-and-chop nucleotomy techniques were equally efficacious for nuclear management during phacoemulsification. J C ataract Refract Surg 2000; 26: 1638-1641 (C) 2000 ASCRS and ESCRS.