Signature phaco machine offers good stability

Anterior chamber fluctuations during phacoemulsification can cause an increase in retinal thickness and alterations of the blood aqueous barrier. In order to avoid these complications, it is better to use a machine that offers good anterior chamber stability, according to Alessandro Franchini and colleagues from the University of Florence, Italy.

The researchers used a micro silicon sensor interfaced with a control unit, inserted in the anterior chamber during phacoemulsification to continuously monitor the anterior chamber tension in three groups of 20 patients being operated on with three different phacoemulsifiers: Sovereign WhiteStar (AMO), Signature (AMO) and Legacy Everest (Alcon).

The average anterior chamber variation during phacoemulsification was 7.2 mmHg using the Signature, 15.5 mmHg with the WhiteStar and 16.3 mmHg using the Legacy (Signature vs WhiteStar: p<0.05; Signature vs Legacy: p<0.001; WhiteStar vs Legacy: p=0.132).

Anterior fluctuations can cause complications so it is best to use a machine that can guarantee anterior chamber stability. With this in mind the authors recommend using AMOs Signature system to control fluidics thus reducing fluctuations.