Application of the cystotome-assisted prechop technique performed in hard nuclear cataract phacoemulsification

AIM: To discuss the effect of the cystotome-assisted prechop technique performed in hard nuclear cataract phacoemulsification. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-six patients(158 eyes)of age-related cataracts with nucleus density at grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ were randomly divided into two groups. Group A was performed a manual prechop technique using a surgeon-bent cystotome after the capsulorhexis, while group B was performed traditional phaco-chop without prechop technique. The average power(AP), actual ultrasonic time(U/S time), accumulated energy complex parameter(AECP)of machine, average density of endothelial cells, endothelial cells loss, uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), corneal edema and intraoperative complications were compared between groups. RESULTS: The AP, U/S time and AECP of Group A were significantly lower than that of Group B(PPCONCLUSION: Compared with traditional phaco-chop, the cystotome-assisted prechop technique presents shorter intraoperative ultrasound time and lower energy, while contributes to less corneal endothelial cell loss and better early postoperative UCVA.