CataractCoach™ 2660: precision in stop and chop скачать в хорошем качестве

CataractCoach™ 2660: precision in stop and chop

Yesterday on our CataractCoach Podcast we featured Nitin Chopra, MD, MBA who worked as a Wall Street Financier for more than a decade before deciding to become an ophthalmologist. Truly a fascinating discussion. Today we feature a routine stop-and-chop cataract surgery performed by him. The stop-and-chop technique is a widely utilized method in phacoemulsification cataract surgery, offering a balanced approach between control and efficiency. Developed as a hybrid of the traditional divide-and-conquer and phaco chop techniques, it allows for improved nuclear disassembly, especially in eyes with moderate to dense nuclei. The procedure begins with the “stop” phase, where a central groove is sculpted in the nucleus, similar to divide-and-conquer. This groove serves to safely crack the nucleus into two hemispheres, providing an initial level of stability and space within the capsular bag. Once the nucleus is divided, the “chop” phase follows. The phaco tip is embedded into one hemi-nucleus to provide counter-traction, and a second instrument (typically a chopper) is used to mechanically split the quadrant into smaller fragments. These nuclear pieces are then emulsified and aspirated sequentially. Stop-and-chop offers several advantages. The initial groove provides a safety buffer that minimizes stress on the zonules and posterior capsule. At the same time, the chopping phase allows for reduced ultrasound energy and surgical time compared to pure sculpting techniques. This can lead to less corneal endothelial cell loss and faster postoperative recovery. Overall, the stop-and-chop technique is especially useful for surgeons transitioning from sculpting to chopping methods, offering a controlled, stepwise approach to efficient cataract removal.