Multilamellar hydrodissection in phacoemulsification and planned extracapsular surgery.

Multilamellar hydrodissection is the injection of balanced salt solution into multiple lamellae of the lens, cleaving it into a small nucleus and multiple layers of cortex. In phacoemulsification, the smaller nucleus reduces phacoemulsification time, and the thicker bed of cortex provides greater protection for the posterior capsule. In extracapsular extraction, the smaller nucleus can be more readily extracted, which is particularly advantageous when capsulorhexis is performed. Creation of multiple cortical lamellae facilitates their aspiration, either with the phacoemulsification or irrigation/aspiration tips. Multilamellar hydrodissection increases the predictability and safety of phacoemulsification and planned extracapsular cataract extraction.