Energy load and state of corneal endothelium in hybrid (femtosecond laser-assisted) and torsional phacoemulsification

Abstract

To compare the intraoperative energy load and postoperative state of corneal endothelium in hybrid (femtosecond laser-assisted) and torsional phacoemulsification. The study analyzed surgical outcomes of 603 patients (714 eyes) divided into 3 groups: 225 patients (267 eyes) underwent modified femtosecond laser-assisted phacoemulsification (1st group), 237 patients (278 eyes) underwent standard femtosecond laser-assisted phacoemulsification (2nd group), and 141 patients (169 eyes) who underwent torsional phacoemulsification (3rd group). The follow-up period lasted up to 2 years. In patients with grade II lens density (here and further - L. Buratto classification is used), effective ultrasound time was 0.56±0.11 s in the 1st group, 0.83±0.17 s in the 2nd group, and 2.78 ± 0.51 s in the 3rd group (p(1-2)<0.05; p(1-3)<0.05; p(2-3)<0.05). In patients with grade III lens density effective ultrasound time was 2.04±0.37 s in the 1st group, 2.97±0.53 s in the 2nd group, and 4.59±0.91 s in the 3rd group (p(1-2)<0.05; p(1-3)<0.05; p(2-3)<0.05). In patients with grade IV lens density, effective ultrasound time was 3.95±0.81 s in the 1st group, 5.11±1.03 s in the 2nd group, and 8.37±1.73 s in the 3rd group (p(1-2)<0.05; p(1-3)<0.05; p(2-3)<0.05). In patients with grade II lens density, loss of endothelial cells was 3.3±1.1% in the 1st group, 3.7±1.2% in the 2nd group, and 4.3±1.2% in the 3rd group (p(1-2)>0.05; p(1- 3)<0.05; p(2-3)<0.05). In patients with grade III lens density, loss of endothelial cells was 5.1±1.4% in the 1st group, 5.7±1.5% in the 2nd group, 7.2±1.7% in the 3rd group (p(1-2)>0.05; p(1-3)<0.05; p(2-3)<0.05). In patients with grade IV lens density, loss of endothelial cells was 8.9±2.1% in the 1st group, 10.1±2.3% in the 2nd group, and 13.3±2.5% in the 3rd group (p(1-2)>0.05; p(1-3)<0.05; p(2- -3)<0.05). Both techniques of femtosecond laser-assisted phacoemulsification significantly reduce the effective ultrasound time (p<0.05) and the degree of corneal endothelial cells loss (p<0.05) compared with torsional phacoemulsification.