The Use of the Anterior Chamber Maintainer in Special Cataract Cases

Purpose: To point out the indications for the use of the Anterior Chamber Maintainer (ACM) in order to facilitate cataract surgery in selective cases. Materials and Methods: In a time interval of 4 years the ACM was used in 28 special cataract cases 17 patients had high myopia (12 - 25 dpt, axial length 28 - 34 mm), 3 patients had vitreo-retinal pathology known pre-operatively and 8 cases were previously vitrectomized with silicon oil. In these cases the ACM was introduced either from the beginning or during the surgical procedure when excessive fluctuations of the Anterior Chamber (AC) were observed. Results: Though the new generation phaco machines tend to maintain the stability of the AC, the use of the ACM contributed to even greater stability during the insertion and the removal of probes and during the whole procedure, eliminating the risk of complications. All these risky cases were accomplished without intraoperative complications. The surgeons experienced a sense of increased safety during the procedure. Conclusions: The use of the ACM in cataract cases with high risk for complications offers a much greater stability of the AC, by eliminating the fluctuations of the posterior capsule and consequently prevents intraoperative and potentially postoperative complications.