Endothelial cell loss following phacoemulsification in the pupillary plane.

Endothelial cell loss following posterior chamber phacoemulsification with and without posterior chamber lens implantation was studied. Postoperative cell counts were taken four months after surgery. Three surgeons participated in this study. Posterior chamber phacoemulsification alone (30 patients) resulted in a mean cell loss of 9%, with a maximum cell loss of 22% in one patient. Posterior chamber phacoemulsification with posterior chamber lens implantation (30 patients) resulted in a mean cell loss of 8% with a maximum cell loss of 26% in one patient. Statistical analysis shows no difference in postoperative cell loss between these two groups.