Comparison of effective phacoemulsification time and corneal endothelial cell loss using three different ultrasound frequencies: A randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Comparison of three ultrasound (US) frequencies for phacoemulsification of hard cataracts to determine a frequency that makes phacoemulsification more efficacious and safer. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was undertaken at a medical college and hospital. In total, 207 patients with grade 5.6-6.9 (LOCS III) senile cataract were randomized into three groups. Group I underwent phacoemulsification with 28-kHz frequency, group II with 42-kHz frequency, and group III with 53-kHz frequency. The effective phacoemulsification time (EPT) and estimated fluid usage (EFU) were compared intraoperatively. The endothelial cell parameters were analyzed for 6 months. Results: The groups were matched for age (P = 0.467), gender (P = 0.497), nuclear grade (P = 0.321), and anterior chamber depth (P = 0.635). The EPT and EFU were significantly lower in group III, compared to group II and group I, with P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively. Postoperatively, the endothelial cell density (ECD) was significantly higher in group III at 1 month (P < 0.0001), 3 months (P < 0.0001), and 6 months (P < 0.0001). The percentages of ECD loss were also significantly lower in group III; the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.0001) up to 6 months postoperatively. Conclusion: Higher frequency ultrasound was associated with a lower EPT and EFU as well as better endothelial preservation than lower frequencies in hard cataracts.

Guidewire Mishap: An Avoidable Iatrogenic Complication.

Central vein catheterization is a commonly used technique in indoor patients. It is mainly used for venous access, allowing administration of drugs, fluids, chemotherapy, blood components. Central vein catheterisation may lead to many complication which includes bleeding, perforation of veins and hematoma formation, thrombosis, infections, bleeding, needle stick injury, air embolism, kinking or looping of the wire tip, breakage of a guidewire, etc. We, hereby, report a case where the guidewire was lost during femoral venous catherisation. A whole guidewire embolization is completely preventable complication. It may not necessarily produce any symptoms and may remain unnoticed for long time. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Rani A, Malik PK. Guidewire Mishap: An Avoidable Iatrogenic Complication. Indian J Crit Care Med 2019;23(8):382-383.

Effect of IOP based infusion system with and without balanced phaco tip on cumulative dissipated energy and estimated fluid usage in comparison to gravity fed infusion in torsional phacoemulsification.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effect of three different combinations of tip designs and infusion systems in torsional phacoemulsification (INFINITI and CENTURION) in patients with cataract. According to the manufacturer, two unique improvements in the Centurion are: active fluid dynamic management system and use of an intrepid balanced tip. The study specifically aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects, if any, of change in tip design and infusion system individually and in combination on both per-operative parameters as well as endothelial health over 6 months. METHODS: One hundred and twenty six consenting patients of grade 4.0-6.9 senile cataract were randomized into three groups for phacoemulsification: Group A (n = 42): Gravity fed infusion system and 450 Kelman miniflared ABS phaco tip; Group B (n = 42): intraocular pressure (IOP) based infusion system and 450 Kelman miniflared ABS phaco tip; Group C (n = 42): IOP based infusion system and 450 Intrepid balanced phaco tip. The cumulative dissipated energy (CDE), estimated fluid usage (EFU) and total aspiration time (TAT) were compared peroperatively. The endothelial parameters were followed up postoperatively for six months. RESULTS: The three arms were matched for age (p = 0.525), gender (p = 0.96) and grade of cataract (p = 0.177). Group C was associated with significant reductions in CDE (p = 0.001), EFU (p < 0.0005) as well as TAT (p = 0.001) in comparison to the other groups. All three groups had comparable baseline endothelial cell density (p = 0.876) and central corneal thickness (p = 0.561). On post-operative evaluation, although all groups were comparable till 3 months, by 6 months, the percentage losses in endothelial cell density were significantly lower in group C as compared to the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Use of an IOP based phacoemulsification system in association with use of the Intrepid balanced tip reduces the CDE, EFU and TAT in comparison to a gravity fed system with a mini flared tip or IOP based system with a mini flared tip while also providing better endothelial preservation thus favouring the use of an IOP fed system with a balanced tip. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration No.: CTRI/2016/06/007022.

Propranolol therapy in a case of capillary hemangioma.

Capillary hemangioma is one the most common tumors of eyelid and orbit reported in pediatric age group. Oral propranolol therapy is latest addition to the armamentarium of treatment options available to ophthalmologists in treating capillary hemangiomas. We report the successful response to propranolol therapy to a 5-year-old child with capillary hemangioma involving lids, orbit, and the paranasal sinuses. A long-term follow-up is necessary for the prognostic efficacy of the therapy.