Pars plana lensectomy by ultrasonic fragmentation: 1984--Part I: Updated surgical technique.

Pars plana lensectomy by ultrasonic fragmentation has been used for removal of all types of cataracts; senile, congenital, traumatic, subluxated, dislocated, complicated, cataract and filter, cataract and healed retinal detachment, cataract and Fuchs' dystrophy, and hypermature cataract. Although there have been few changes in the basic technique of pars plana lensectomy by ultrasonic fragmentation since the original report, some of these changes have improved the results and considerably reduced the complications. Improvements in the technique include addition of glutathione, bicarbonate and epinephrine to the irrigating solution, use of 20-gauge disposable irrigating needle for the incisions, "strip-mining" the lens nucleus, total lensectomy, subtotal vitrectomy, and discontinuance of mechanical suction for aspiration.