Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Implantation Protocol of the Foldable Capsular Vitreous Body for Complex Vitreoretinal Surgery
Published on: April 14, 2026
Decrease in complications during cataract surgery with the use of a silicone-tipped irrigation/aspiration instrument
Preston H Blomquist1, Anne C Pluenneke
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75300-9057, USA. preston.blomquist@utsouthwestern.edu
Purpose:
To compare rates of vitreous loss during cataract surgery when a silicone-tipped irrigation/aspiration (I/A) instrument is used for cortex removal as opposed to a metal tip.
Setting:
Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Methods:
A retrospective chart review of all patients who had cataract extraction by phacoemulsification by third-year ophthalmology residents between September 2000 and February 2004 was conducted. A silicone-tipped I/A instrument was used to remove cortex for all surgeries beginning in September 2002, whereas a metal I/A tip was used previously.
Results:
Of the 1072 cases performed with a metal I/A tip, there were 13 cases of vitreous loss during cortex removal (rate 1.2%) and 26% of all vitreous loss during that time occurred during cortex removal. Of the 805 cases performed with a silicone I/A tip, there was a single case (0.1%) of vitreous loss during cortex removal (P=.004); only 4% of all vitreous loss during that time occurred during cortex removal (P=.011).
Conclusion:
The overall incidence of vitreous loss during cortex removal and the ratio of vitreous loss during cortex removal to all cases of vitreous loss were significantly decreased using the silicone-tipped I/A instrument.
