Efficacy and wound-temperature gradient of WhiteStar phacoemulsification through a 1.2 mm incision

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and wound-temperature gradients of WhiteStar micropulse technology using bimanual phacoemulsification without an irrigation sleeve through a 1.2 mm incision. Setting. Island Eye Surgicenter, Carle Place, New York, USA. Methods: Ten patients had bimanual phacoemulsification using micropulse technology without an irrigation sleeve through a 1.2 mm clear corneal incision. A thermocouple consisting of a 30-gauge copper wire was inserted into clear cornea directly adjacent to the wound to digitally record temperature gradients at the wound. Endothelial cell counts were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively in all patients. Results: All 10 patients maintained corneal clarity with no sign of thermal damage to the wound. The maximum corneal wound temperatures during phacoemulsification ranged from 24degreesC to 34degreesC, well below the temperature of collagen shrinkage. The endothelial cell loss at 3 months was 7%. Conclusions. Because of the decreased thermal effect with WhiteStar technology, an irrigation sleeve over the phacoemulsification needle is superfluous. As a result, bimanual phacoemulsification can be safely performed through a 1.2 mm incision. (C) 2003 ASCRS and ESCRS.