Influence of the suture technique in the diminution of the induced astigmatism in cataract surgery

RESUMO Foram estudadas duas séries de pacientes submetidos à extração extracapsular da catarata com implante intraocular de câmara posterior. Todos os casos foram operados pelo autor, que utilizou a mesma técnica cirúrgica em ambas as séries. A única diferença residiu na maneira pela qual a incisão foi suturada. Na Série 1, foram empregados cinco pontos em "X". Na Série 2, a sutura consistiu de três pontos interrompidos de 11 a 1 h e dois pontos em "X" de cada lado. O valor dióptrico do astigmatismo induzido foi menor na Série 2 (1,13D contra 1,62D). São discutidas as diferenças verificadas quanto aos eixos encontrados nas duas séries e a possível aplicação prática do presente estudo. SUMMARY Two series of patients submitted to extracapsular cataract extraction with implantation of a posterior chamber lens were studied. All the cases were operated by the author who employed the same surgical technique in both series. The only difference was in the way the incision was closed. In Series I, five "X" sutures were utilized. ln Series two, the closing of the wound consisted of three interrupted sutures from 11 to 1 o' clock and two "X" sutures on each side. The dioptric power of the induced astigmatism was lower in the second series (1,13D against 1,62D). The differences verified in relation to the axis observed in the two series and the possible practical application of the present study are discussed.