Phacoemulsification efficiency with a radiused phaco tip

PURPOSE: To evaluate radiused and nonradiused phacoemulsification tips to determine which tip is more efficient in removal of lens fragments using 3 ultrasound (US) modalities. SETTING: John A. Moran Eye Center Laboratories, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: Porcine lens nuclei were formalin-soaked for 2 hours or 3 hours and then divided into 2.0 mm cubes. Thirty-degree, 0.9 mm beveled radiused tips and nonradiused tips were used with torsional, transverse, and micropulsed US modalities. Bent tips were used with torsional and transversal US, and straight tips were used with micropulsed US. Efficiency (time to lens removal) and chatter (number of lens fragment repulsions from the tip) were determined. RESULTS: The mean phacoemulsification efficiency was statistically significantly decreased (increased time for removal) with the radiused tip compared with the nonradiused tip for torsional US only (2-hour soaked lenses: 2.14 seconds ± 1.94 [SD] versus 1.18 ± 0.69 seconds [P < .05]; 3-hour soaked lenses: 5.07 ± 4.2 seconds versus 2.52 ± 1.99 seconds [P < .05]). There was no difference in chatter results. CONCLUSION: The radiused tip showed decreased efficiency with torsional US only. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.