Aqueous humor contamination during phacoemulsification in a university teaching hospital

To evaluate the intraoperative contamination of the anterior chamber in eyes undergoing phacoemulsification in a university teaching hospital.

Prospective, non-randomized clinical trial.

This study included 113 eyes of 113 consecutive patients undergoing cataract surgery performed by experienced surgeons and residents. Phacoemulsification was conducted through a scleral tunnel incision or through a corneal incision. The intraocular lens was implanted with an injector. Aqueous fluid was obtained at the end of surgery before viscoelastic removal, with a cannula through the corneal paracentesis. Povidone-iodine 10% solution was used to prepare the eyebrow and eyelids and povidone-iodine 5% to disinfect the ocular surface. All patients were given a single oral dose of 400mg ofloxacin 2h before surgery. No preoperative antibiotics were administered locally.

Anterior chamber fluid aspirates were positive for bacteria in two eyes (1.8%). No eye developed endophthalmitis during the follow-up period.

Low anterior chamber bacterial contamination rates may be achieved under routine phacoemulsification in a teaching hospital practicing careful antisepsis measures.