Influence of phacotime on postoperative inflammation - a retrospective study

Background: The early postoperative inflammation after cataract surgery is mainly caused by surgical trauma. Patients and Methods: 450 data-sheets of patients, who were operated for se nile cataract with small-incision phacoemulsification and in-the-bag implan tation of a foldable intraocular lens were retrospectively analysed. Postop erative inflammation was evaluated with the Laser flare-Cell Meter Kowa FC- 1000 on day 1, 3, 7 and 28. All the operations were done with the same phac omachine model Orbit Oertli. The absolute phacotime was measured, the data classified in steps of 20 seconds. Statistical analysis was made with the s tudent's t-test. Results: In the first postoperative week there is a statistical significant difference in the flare-values between the groups with short phacotime (up to 39 seconds) and the group with long phacotimes lover 80 seconds), One m onth after operation this significance was absent. Conclusions: The early postoperative inflammation is influenced by the dura tion of phacoemulsification. Surgical techniques and phacomachines that may reduce phacotime are helpful with respect to early postoperative inflammat ion.