Comparison of clinical outcomes between cystotome-assisted prechop phacoemulsification surgery and conventional phacoemulsification surgery for hard nucleus cataracts: A CONSORT-compliant article

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of the cystotome-assisted prechop phacoemulsification surgery (CAPPS) and conventional phacoemulsification surgery (CPS) in patients with IV degree nucleus cataract. METHODS: The prospective, randomized, consecutive, comparative cohort study consecutively recruited Chinese age-related cataract patients, CAPPS and CPS were performed by a seasoned surgeon. Postoperative follow-up was at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year, and the outcome measures comprised ultrasound power, effective phacoemulsification time (EPT), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), endothelial cell density (ECD), corneal endothelium loss rate (ECL), central corneal thickness (CCT), and intraoperative and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Patients in both groups gained a better CDVA postoperatively. The ultrasound power and EPT in the CAPPS group were lower than the CPS group (P < .001). ECD value decreased at each follow-up visit and did not return to the preoperative level; CPS resulted in greater endothelial cell loss than CAPPS did, which was significant. CCT increased immediately after the surgery, and decreased thereafter. The mean CCT values returned to preoperative levels at 3 months after surgery in the CAPPS group while it took 6 months in the CPS group. The differences in cornea edema and anterior chamber flare between the 2 groups were not significant at 1 day postoperatively (P = .070 and .094, respectively), while at the 1-week time point, the differences were statistically significant (P = .002 and .001, respectively). CONCLUSION: CAPPS appears to be an excellent method for treating hard nucleus cataract.