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  • Study identifies optimal power settings for phaco efficiency

    By Lisa B. Arbisser, MD
    Cataract/Anterior Segment

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    This experimental study is an excellent exploration into how phacoemulsification efficiency is affected by increasing longitudinal amplitude at different torsional amplitude settings. I believe it will help us be more efficient with our ultrasound use.

    Optimal settings are as follows:

    • At 100% torsional power, no increase in efficiency is seen with addition of longitudinal power 
    • At 80% torsional power, addition of at least 20% longitudinal power shows a significant increase in efficiency 
    • At 60% torsional power, addition of at least 75% longitudinal power shows a significant increase in efficiency 
    • Addition of longitudinal power beyond the values noted above did not confer significant increases in efficiency 
    • Chatter was minimal in all experiments conducted, and had no impact on efficiency.