Stop and Flip: A Simple and Safe Phacoemulsification Technique

We introduce a simple, easy to learn, fast and safe technique to facilitate nucleus management in patients with zonular weakening in uncomplicated cases. The surgery begins with a temporal 3.2 mm clear corneal incision under topical anesthesia. Two side-port incisions are made on the inferior and superior sides. Anterior continuous curvilinear 5–6 mm diameter capsulorhexis and hydrodissection are performed to loosen capsule cortical attachments. The nucleus is not rotated, and an appropriated groove (80–90% depth) is sculpted using phaco machine. The groove is cracked into two hemispheres; lateral pressure and a side port manipulator. Then, 15–30 degree phaco tip is introduced and embedded into one hemisphere of nucleus beside the capsulorhexis edge at temporal or nasal part. After complete removal of the first hemisphere, the second is flipped again from bag into iris plane and phacoemulsified in the same manner.