Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To study the effects of using the Wehener spoon in laser photolysis cataract extraction. Methods: Data was collected from surgical patients who underwent laser photolysis cataract extraction by a single surgeon for a period from July 2003 to December 2003. All cataracts were initially trisected using a pre–slice technique. The surgical technique then varied in the two groups according to use of a straight irrigating probe versus a Wehener spoon. Data collected included number of laser shots used during photolysis. Statistical analysis was performed using the student’s t–test. Results: The total number of patients who underwent laser photolysis and for whom data was collected during this period was 55. 24 (44%) patients underwent laser photolysis using a straight irrigating probe, while 31 (56%) underwent the procedure using a Wehener spoon. The average age of patients in the first group was 71, and the average age of patients in the second group was 68. The average number of laser shots used with a straight probe was 71 (st dev 27), and the average number of laser shots used using a Wehener spoon was 50 (st dev 30). This difference reached statistical significance as calculated using the student’s t–test (p<0.01). Conclusions:Laser photolysis cataract extraction requires the use of a bimanual surgical technique; separation of the laser photolysis/aspiration probe from the irrigation handpiece allows nuclear emulsification via two 1.4 mm corneal incisions. The modification of the irrigation probe into a Wehener spoon facilitates mechanical manipulation of the nuclear material. We show here that this bimanual technique significantly decreases the amount of laser energy needed to perform cataract extraction.
Keywords: cataract • laser • small incision cataract surgery