Evaluation Of Surgical Performance Of A New Phacoemulsification System With A Membrane Pump - A Multi Surgeon Study

To evaluate the surgical performance of the new Quatera phacoemulsification system in different grades of cataracts by surgeons  with variable degrees of skill and experience.

Nethradhama Superspeciality Eye Hospital

A total of 300 eyes (65.96 ± 4.37 years; mean age ± standard deviation) underwent phacoemulsification using the Quatera machine - 100 each by a beginner, intermediate and advanced surgeon. Each surgeon operated 50 eyes of grade 1-2 and 50 eyes of grade 2+ to 4 nuclear sclerosis as per LOCS III grading. The parameters evaluated were effective and total phaco time, chamber stability grading, fluid turnover per case, time taken per case and complications if any. Post operative day 1 outcomes were evaluated with respect to uncorrected visual acuity, IOP, corneal clarity, AC reaction and IOL position.

Pre operatively, the mean grade of cataract density in the soft cataract group differed significantly between the surgeons (p<0.001) but was comparable in the hard cataract group (p=0.451). The mean anterior chamber stability score was comparable both in the soft cataract group (p=0.765) and hard cataract group (p=0.157). There was no significant surge noted in any of the cases. There were no intraoperative complications in the soft cataract group for any surgeon. In the hard cataract group, grade 1 wound burn was noted in 6 cases whereas one case operated by the beginner surgeon had grade 2 wound burn which required suturing. Post operatively, IOL was found to be stable in all cases.

The new Quatera phacoemulsification system demonstrates excellent chamber stability, good safety and efficacy when used by all surgeons of varying skill levels.