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Title	Amount of ultrasound energy and phacoemulsification time in divide and conquer technique versus horizontal chopping technique with the Alcon Infiniti Phaco-emulsification System : a prospective study.
Abstract Nr.	256

Purpose	To compare the differences in US time (UST) and mean cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) between the divide and conquer and phaco chop techniques using the Alcon Infiniti System.
Methods	A prospective pilot study of 25 patients comparing the divide and conquer technique with a classic horizontal chop technique in terms of phaco time and phaco power. Every right eye underwent cataract phacoemulsification with chop technique, every left eye underwent classical divide and conquer phacoemulsification. The main outcome parameters were mean US time (UST) and mean cumulative dissipated energy (CDE). Possible adverse preoperative complications were recorded.
Results	Mean equivalent ultrasound time and mean phaco power (CDE) were significantly better in the chop group than in the divide and conquer group. Mean surgery time was also significantly lower in the chop group. Even when using the OZiL torsional handpiece that produces rotary oscillations of the phacoemulsification tip with a frequency of 32 Kz, the chopping technique proved to be usefull in terms of protecting the corneal endothelium by reducing ultrasound energy. There were no adverse intraoperative complications.
Conclusion	This small study was able to demonstrate a significant advantage of the phaco chop technique over the divide and conquer technique in terms of phaco power, phaco time and operating time, even in situations where phaco time was already very low, such as when using torsional phaco-emulsification. The reduction of phaco power and phaco time in the phaco chop group may be particularly important in cases with low endothelial cell counts. Reducing the phaco energy and phaco time must stay the main objectives of future phacoemulsification development.

Author 1

Last name	GOES
Initials	FJr
Department	Goes Eye Centre
City	Antwerp