Abstract
Purpose: :
To measure vitreous temperature during an uneventful phacoemulsification surgery.
Methods: :
A prospective, transversal, observational and descriptive study was designed. Patients programmed for vitrectomy and phacoemulsification surgery were included, regardless of the diagnosis and indication for the surgery. The procedure was started by inserting a 23 gauge trocar via the inferotemporal pars plana. A thermometer probe connected to a transducer was introduced to the mid-vitreous cavity, and temperature was measured at different stages of the phacoemulsification procedure: capsulorhexis, hydrodissection, phacoemulsification, aspiration, and IOL implantation. At the end of the procedure the same thermo-probe was used to measure the sublingual temperature of each patient. Room temperature was also measured during the procedure.
Results: :
A total of 17 patients were included in the study. Mean phaco surgery time was 24.4 minutes (range 15 - 45minutes). Mean basal vitreous temperature and at the end of the steps (capsulorexis, hydrodissection, phacoemulsification, cortex aspiration and IOL implantation) was 33.04° C, 32.54° C, 32.25° C, 30.45° C, 29.98° C, 30.42° C, respectively. Mean body temperature was 36.50° C. Mean room temperature was 22.34° C.
Conclusions: :
The vitreous humor is under relative hypothermia when compared to the body temperature. As expected the temperature decreases during the surgery but eventually increases to a basal state.
Keywords: vitreous • vitreoretinal surgery