Cardenas IA, Ungricht EL, Zaugg B, Olson RJ, Pettey JH. Efficiency of a polymer-coated phacoemulsification tip in cataract surgery.
J Cataract Refract Surg 2023;
49:1056-1060. [PMID:
37057705 DOI:
10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000001198]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE
To determine whether there is a difference in efficiency during phacoemulsification when using the hybrid polymer tip compared with the metal balanced tip, as measured by cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) and total procedure time.
SETTING
John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
DESIGN
Experimental study.
METHODS
Phacoemulsification was performed with the Centurion Vision System and Infiniti OZil handpiece, with a 30-degree bevel metal balanced tip and hybrid polymer tip. The vacuum was set at 500 mm Hg and the aspiration flow rate at 50 mL/min. Power was changed for torsional and longitudinal ultrasound (US) at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%. Hardened porcine lenses were cut into 200 two mm cubes, 10 for each specified tip/power setting. They were placed into an artificial anterior chamber filled with a balanced salt solution, and phacoemulsification was performed. A second observer randomly assigned the US type and power. The same observer timed trials with a stopwatch, and CDE was recorded.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences in time or CDE for any power levels or US modes when comparing the 2 tips.
CONCLUSIONS
No significant difference in efficiency was observed when comparing the metal balanced tip with the hybrid polymer tip. Given the known improved safety profile and the overall equivalent efficiency of the hybrid tip, it could improve the performance of beginning and advanced surgeons in the future. Future study is needed to evaluate other setting combinations and to evaluate the hybrid tip in clinical settings.
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