[Surgery of intravitreous nuclear luxations post-phacoemulsification]

To evaluate anatomical and functional results after surgery of retained nucleus or nuclear lens fragments into the vitreous cavity after phacoemulsification.

Files of 46 patients that underwent vitrectomy for posterior retained nuclear fragments between July 92 and June 96 were studied retrospectively. Minimum follow-up was 6 months. Patients having only cortical material were excluded. In 34 cases the nucleus or nuclear fragments were removed posteriorly during a pars plana vitrectomy using either fragmentation with fragmatome (13 cases) or cutting with the vitreotome tip (21 cases). Anterior removal after pars plana vitrectomy was performed in 12 cases. 20 patients were operated on the first week, 12 during the second week and 14 after the second week following phacoemulsification.

Forty-one per cent of the patients reached 20/40 or better. 28% had less than 20/200. 8 (17%) patients presented a retinal detachment, 6 a cystoid macular edema, 6 a bullous dystrophy, and 9 an elevated intraocular pressure. At the end of follow-up 89% have been implanted (50% had been implanted at the end of the cataract surgery). We found no correlation between visual acuity and timing of surgery, anterior or posterior site removal of nuclear fragments or lens implantation during phacoemulsification.

Dislocation of the nucleus into the vitreous cavity is a serious event during phacoemulsification because of its inflammatory and retinal complications. Vitreoretinal surgery allows good visual recovery in about half of the patients. Technical handling depends primarily on the nucleus density. An IOL may be placed at the end of phacoemulsification if the nucleus is not too hard and if the anterior segment has been cleaned carefully.