Comparison of Nuclear Cleavage Time Using Calibrated and Conventional Phacotips During Coaxial Microincisional Cataract Surgery
Purpose
This study intended to test if the time taken to cleave the nucleus effectively and safely in two separate halves with vertical chop is reduced with SRF CMP2, a calibrated phacotip, in comparison with conventional phacotip in vertical chop technique.
Methods
A randomized controlled study of 60 patients having cataracts 4.0 to 6.9 grades (LOCS III) were randomized to 2 groups. Group 1(n=30) vertical chopping with calibrated SRF CMP2 phacotip. Group 2(n=30) vertical chopping with conventional phacotip. Variables: time taken for complete crack, number of attempts, peroperative complications. Instrument: SRF CMP 2 - Calibrated phacoemulsification titanium tip which has two 0.2 mm wide laser etched bands from 2.2 to 2.4 mm and 2.6 to 2.8 mm from the tip in addition to a reference ring at 1 mm. These rings can be visualized during the surgery to follow the nomogram. Analysis: Significance level at p<0.5.
Results
The Mean cleavage time in the group using SRF CMP2 Calibrated phacotip was found to be 16.83 seconds (SD= +/- 8.17secs) while in the Conventional phacotip group was 24.36 seconds (SD +/-10.10secs) during Co-axial Microincisional Cataract surgery. This difference is statistically significant (p<0.001).
Conclusion
The data conclusively proves that a calibrated phacotip is superior to the conventional counterpart in streamlining the surgical parameters as it reduces the time taken to cleave the nucleus effectively and safely in vertical chop technique.