Systematic Transition to Phaco-Chop.

ABSTRACT

Phaco surgeons initially train in a four quadrant divide and conquer technique. Subsequently, several surgeons transition to chopping techniques due to the perceived advantages of phaco-chop that include lower ultrasound energy and lesser zonular stress. Stop and chop has conventionally been the technique of choice for making this transition. However, the surgeon has to execute a full-fledged chop after the creation of two hemi-segments by the classical trenching and cracking skills already acquired in divide and conquer techniques. Here we describe a set of intermediate steps during four quadrant divide and conquer that breaks down the skills required for chopping and enables the surgeon to sequentially imbibe the required skill sets to make the transition to chop safer and smoother.