Effect of duration of phacoemulsification on postoperative inflammation--a retrospective study

Abstract

The early postoperative inflammation after cataract surgery is mainly caused by surgical trauma. 450 data-sheets of patients, who were operated for senile cataract with small-incision phacoemulsification and in-the-bag implantation of a foldable intraocular lens were retrospectively analysed. Postoperative 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 phacomachine model Orbit Oertli. The absolute phacotime was measured, the data classified in steps of 20 seconds. Statistical analysis was made with the student's t-test. 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 (over 80 seconds). One month after operation this significance was absent. The early postoperative inflammation is influenced by the duration of phacoemulsification. Surgical techniques and phacomachines that may reduce phacotime are helpful with respect to early postoperative inflammation.