Wound Temperature During Ultrasmall Incision Phacoemulsification

Abstract

We studied the change in wound temperature during phacoemulsification(PEA) through an ultrasmall incision using an ultrasound tip with the infusion sleeve removed. We observed an increase in the ultrasound tip temperature on thermographs when it was turned on under various conditions. We also measured the wound temperature using a thermometer during the use of ultrasound in PEA by occlusion when a 20 gauge ultrasound tip was inserted without an infusion sleeve into postmortem porcine eyes through a 19 gauge incision and when the infusion cannula was inserted through the side port. The ultrasound tip temperature did not rise if sufficient infusion liquid was circulated around the tip. When the 20 gauge ultrasound tip was used and the incision width was more than 1.5 mm, there was no thermal burn in the wound. Ultrasmall incision cataract surgery was conducted using a sleeveless ultrasound tip without the occurrence of a thermal burn in or around the incision wound.