[Cataract phacoemulsification techniques: "divide and conquer" versus "stop and chop"--comparative evaluation of operation course and early results].

Purpose: To compare ultrasound time, quality and quantity of intraoperative complications together with the eye condition in early postoperative period in patients who underwent "divide and conquer" and "stop and chop" cataract phacoemulsification.

Material And Methods: "Divide and conquer" phacoemulsification was performed in 49 eyes, whereas "stop and chop" technique in 67 eyes. Before surgery axial lengths of the eye, anterior chamber depth and pupillary reflex were measured. During the surgery effective phaco time, nucleus hardness and all the complications were recorded, whereas in the first day post operation visual acuity and amount of corneal edema were examined.

Results: The ultrasound time was significantly shorter in patients operated with "stop and chop" technique. In the first postoperative day better visual acuity and smaller amount of corneal edema were observed in this group.

Conclusions: "Stop and chop" technique gives better early postoperative results in comparison to "divide and conquer" technique. The number of intraoperative complications in both group is low.