Purpose: To comparatively study the wound temperature in bimanual microphacoemulsification and conventional phacoemulsification.
Method: Sixty porcine eyes were equally divided into 4 groups which respectively received bimanual microphacoemulsification and conventional phacoemulsification using Whitestar System with the occlusion mode switched on. The aspiration tube of the phacoemulsification unit was clamped to simulate the state of occluded phaco tip. Wound temperature values at U/S Time 30, 60, 90 and 120 s were measured and recorded using a type K thermocouple digital thermometer.
Results: With phaco tips both occluded and un-occluded, the wound temperature measured during bimanual microphacoemulsification was within the range of 21.0-30.7 degrees C, which is lower than corresponding values of the conventional phaco groups. The temperature was statistically different between 2 procedures in the un-occluded state (P < 0.05). And the inter-group difference was statistically significant in the occluded state(P < 0.01).
Conclusion: Compared to conventional phacoemulsification, bimanual microphacoemulsification using the Whitestar System produced less heat at the surgical incisions.