A New Hydrodissection Technique as a Safer Method for Supervised Resident Cataract Surgery

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: A new hydrodisssection technique in which hydrodissection in the split area of the cracked nucleus followed by hydrodissection surrounding the nuclear parts was performed and compared to conventional hydrodissection technique to see if it would result in a safer procedure. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 182 consecutive supervised resident cataract surgery cases from 10–25–02 to 11–19–04 was undertaken in order to note complications resulting specifically during hydrodissection. 133 consecutive cases from 10–25–02 to 05–07–04 using the conventional hydrodissection technique were compared to 49 cases from 05–28–04 to 11–19–04 using the newer hydrodissection technique. Results: A retrospective analysis of 133 consecutive cases utilizing conventional hydrodissection techniques incurred 2 cases of dropped nucleus/lens fragments as complications directly resulting during the hydrodissection phase of the procedure. (1.5% rate of complications). 49 consecutive cases using the newer method of hydrodissection were free of complications related to the hydrodissection phase of the procesure. (0% rate of complications). P–value was 0.95 by continuity corrected p–value method. Conclusions: A new safer technique of hydrodissection utlilizing hydrodissection in the split area of the cracked nucleus followed by hydrodissection surrounding the nuclear parts allows residents to perform cataract surgery with fewer complications from hydrodissection such as dropping the nucleus or losing fragments (0% rate of complications using the new method versus 1.5% using the conventional method of hydrodissection).

Keywords: cataract