A clinical report on the use of burst mode phacoemulsification

Abstract

To evaluate the clinical outcome of phacoemulsification by using burst mode phaco power. A randomized prospective study of 178 consecutive cases (222 eyes) was conducted. The patients had similar stages of cataract and were matched sex and age. All cases received phacoemulsification by 1 surgeon and were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups (the burst mode group, the pulse mode group and the continuous mode group). The effective phaco time (EPT) and the actual power (AP) was recorded. The difference in accumulated energy (AECP = EPT x AP), visual acuity, corneal edema, and endothelial cell loss were compared among the three groups. The mean EPT of burst group was statistically shorter than those of the pulse group and the continuous group. The mean AECP of burst group was statistically lower than those of the pulse group and the continuous group. Corneal clarity on the first and third postoperative day of the burst group was better in comparison to those of the other two groups. The mean endothelial cell loss in burst group was significant less than that of two other groups 1 week after surgery. The use of burst mode phaco power reduces significantly the EPT and the amount of ultrasound energy. The decreased energy utilization has significant benefits including diminished injury to surrounding ocular structures, less corneal edema, endothelial cell loss and rapid visual rehabilitation. It is safe to use the burst mode of phacoemulsification and therefore it is advised to use this mode in clinical practice.