Abstract

Objectives To maximize efficiency and minimize chatter of the combined variables in venturi mode on the Abbott Medical Optics WhiteStar Signature Pro phacoemulsification machine with the Ellips FX handpiece. Methods In this in vitro laboratory study, porcine lens nuclei were hardened with formalin and cut into 2.0 mm cubes. Phacoemulsification was performed in runs of twenty porcine lenses at each setting. The study initially included runs in which power was set to 60%, vacuum 600 mmHg, and bottle height at 60 cm, 80 cm, and 100 cm. Then, three runs of twenty lenses with power at 60%, optimal bottle height from arm 1, and vacuum varied at 400 mmHg, 500 mmHg, and 600 mmHg were conducted. Finally, power was optimized with 6 runs at already-determined bottle height and vacuum settings, with incremental power variations from 50% to 100%. Results Efficiency increased with increasing bottle height. 80 cm was 27% faster than 60 cm (P = 0.00046) and 100 cm was 17% faster than 80 cm (P = 0.011). With increasing vacuum, efficiency also increased. 500 mmHg was 42% faster than 400 mmHg (P = 0.000015) and 600 mmHg was 14% faster than 500 mmHg (P = 0.017). Increasing power increased efficiency to 80%; subsequently, there was no efficiency gain. Efficiency increased by 47% between 50 and 80% power (P = 0.000029). Conclusion Optimal parameters to increase efficiency, using venturi mode on the WhiteStar Signature Pro, are a bottle height of 100 cm with vacuum at 600 mmHg and 80% power.

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