Investigations on diathermy for anterior capsulotomy.

Diathermy is an approved instrument for intraocular surgery. The authors studied the effects and possible side effects of the first clinical application of a straight bipolar high-frequency probe used to cut the anterior capsule in extracapsular cataract exfraction (ECCE) with a continuous movement. In 25 patients with intumescent or mature cataractous lenses, on which capsulorhexis is difficult to perform, the anterior capsule was cut and a round capsulotomy of the desired diameter obtained. Simultaneously, intraocular temperature was measured for the first time in vivo inside the anterior chamber with a microtemperature probe during the operation. With the technique described, it reached a maximum of 33.4 degrees C (the maximum ranged from 32.8 degrees C-33.4 degrees C). There was no abnormal loss of corneal endothelial cells in the 12-month postoperative follow-up. In addition, electrolysis could not be verified experimentally.