Outcome of dual infusion through irrigating chopper in conventional phacoemulsification

Objective: to determine the operative advantage in terms of minimizing the complications following conventional phaco surgery with dual infusion through irrigating chopper.methods: a randomized controlled clinical trial (rcct) was conducted in the ophthalmology unit-iii, sindh government lyari general hospital and duhs and al-noor eye hospital karachi, from march 2008 to february 2009.a total of 200 eyes with nuclear/cortico-nuclear cataract on lens opacity classification system iii underwent phacoemulsification. in all 100 eyes in group a were randomized to have conventional phacoemulsification with dual infusion technique through irrigating chopper and another 100 eyes in group b by conventional phaco surgery. outcomes in two groups were judged by amount of ringer's lactate used, stability of anterior chamber and number of complications observed.results: rate of intra-operative complications was lower in group a as compared to group b (p=0.002). anterior chamber depth was maintained in all cases of group a while it collapsed in 9 cases of group b which was highly significant (p=0.003). mean amount of ringer's lactate used in group a was 260.2 ± 55.07 ml and 195.8 ± 35.0 ml in group b, which was significantly high (p<0.001).conclusion: dual infusion through irrigating chopper serves triple function of irrigation, chopping and additional separate distant infusion. it improves anterior chamber stability and compensates surge and operative advantage to surgeon.