[Phacoemulsification: technical initiation at what price?]

Phacoemulsification of the cataract is perhaps technically superior which is considered "classic". This technic consists however of a number of difficulties that may be mastered during an apprentiship. Considerable complications may arise during this initiation periods; imposing this surgical method on patients is thus an ethical problem. If the risks encountered during the apprentiship of phacoemulsification appear comparable to those during the classic extracapsular technique, phacoemulsification may be recommended with less reservation. We have compared 250 initial cases of classic extracapsular extraction with 250 "initial cases" of phacoemulsification, taking into account operative and post-operative complications and final functional results.