Comparison Of Intraoperative Performance Between Plate Fluidics Based Phacoemulsification And Combined Pump And Plate Fluidics Based Phacoemulsification: A 600-Eye Single-Surgeon Retrospective Cohort Study

This study aims to compare intraoperative performance and postoperative outcomes between plate fluidics–based phacoemulsification and combined pump plus plate fluidics based phacoemulsification systems. Fluidics system plays a critical role in maintaining anterior chamber stability during phacoemulsification. Advances in fluidics technology have led to phacoemulsification systems that integrate both plate and pump base mechanisms. Currently, data comparing intraoperative efficiency and postoperative recovery between these platforms is limited.

This retrospective 600-eye study was conducted in Sydney, Australia, at a private ophthalmic clinic and performed by a single surgeon.

This retrospective comparative cohort study included over 600 eyes undergoing phacoemulsification.  Eyes were stratified according to fluidics platform used intraoperatively. The primary outcome was cumulative dissipated energy (CDE). Secondary intraoperative metrics included tot al casetime, ultrasound total time, and frequency of surge mitigation activations recorded by the system.  Postoperative outcomes included best corrected visual acuity at the end of postoperative day 1, week 1, and month 1, and incidence of clinically diagnosed cystoid macular edema. Multivariable analysis will be performed for preoperative lens density and relevant systemic and ocular comorbidities.

Data extraction and statistical analysis are ongoing.

This study aims to determine whether the addition of pump-driven fluidics enhances chamber stability, reduces ultrasound energy requirements, improves operative efficiency, and facilitates early visual recovery compared to plate-based systems. The findings may provide clinically relevant insight into the impact of fluidics design on cataract surgery performance.