To reuse or not reuse: reuse of phacoemulsification needle tips, their efficacy, and patient response.

In today's cost-conscious environment, compliance with the manufacturer's recommendation for single use of medical devices continues to be challenged. This study was undertaken to examine the feasibility of reusing disposable phacoemulsification needle tips. Data for 295 patients with cataracts who underwent extracapsular cataract extraction by phacoemulsification were collected during a year-long study. Analysis of these data demonstrated that (1) reuse of phacoemulsification needle tips does not adversely affect the efficacy of the phacoemulsification needle tip, (2) postoperative visual outcomes are not compromised by reuse of phacoemulsification needle tips, and (3) reuse of phacoemulsification needle tips does not alter the standard of care rendered to patients.