Comparison of two side-port incisions in phacoemulsification.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to compare the accuracy, safety, and consistency of near-square and asymmetric trapezoid side-port incisions in cataract surgery.

Setting: Aier Eye Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan Hubei Province, China.

Design: Prospective pilot study.

Methods: The patients were divided into Groups A and B using the random number table method. Group A received a near-square side-port incision (SPI) with a 22G needle, and Group B received an asymmetric trapezoid SPI with a 15-degree blade. We contrasted the differences in incision length, width, and shape; surgical time; and postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) between the two groups.

Results: Eighty eyes from 80 patients were included. The mean external width of incision in Group A was much smaller than that in Group B (p < .01), while the internal width in Group A was significantly larger (p < .01). In Group A, there is no statistically significant difference between the external and internal incision diameters (p = .081). In Group B, the external diameter is obviously larger than the internal diameter (p < .01). The incision diameter consistency in Group A was higher than that in Group B. There was no statistically significant difference in incision length between the two groups (p = 0.67). One day after surgery, there were no significant differences in incision morphology (p = 1.0; .723) or operating time between the two groups (p = .89). There was no obvious incision leakage in either group after surgery (p =.337).

Conclusions: The present study suggests that a near-square side-port with a 22G needle is smaller and results in better incision consistency. Moreover, the 22G needle is inexpensive and can be easily obtained.