Surgeons favor dual-linear foot pedal for efficiency in difficult cases

Take-home message: A survey of cataract surgeons operating with a proprietary phacoemulsification unit explored their use of dual-linear foot pedal control of fluidics and phacoemulsification power.

Reviewed by Timothy P. Page Sr., MD

Rochester, MI-The majority of cataract surgeons using a proprietary phacoemulsification unit with dual-linear foot pedal control (Stellaris/Stellaris PC Vision Enhancement System, Bausch+Lomb) are employing and enjoying that option for improving the efficiency and safety of routine and more challenging procedures, according to a global field observation study.

“The dual-linear function gives surgeons on-demand control and separation of phaco and fluidics, and its benefits essentially come down to better performance and greater safety,” said Timothy P. Page Sr., MD, co-chief of anterior segment surgery and professor of ophthalmology, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, MI.

What the survey found

Information about whether cataract surgeons operating with the platform were using dual-linear control, how they were using, and what advantages they thought it provided was sought through an online survey sent out to surgeons worldwide.

A total of 32 surgeons reporting on 149 procedures participated. Use of dual-linear control was reported by 28 (87.5%) of the respondents and in 128 (85.9%) of the procedures.

The most common reason why surgeons chose dual-linear control was because of their phaco technique (48.4%), followed by cataract grade (39.8%). Others favored it when operating in eyes with zonulopathy (17.2%) or intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (10.9%).

“Analyses of the surgeons’ responses indicated they seemed to favor the dual-linear versus co-linear foot pedal mode to achieve better surgical efficiency and control and particularly in more difficult cases,” Dr. Page said. 

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