Phacoemulsification in dogs with and without intraocular lens implantation in piggyback: Clinical study of postoperative inflammation

Rodrigues G. N., Ranzani J. J. T., Rodrigues A. C. L., Brandao C. V. S., Cremonini D. N., Clark R. M. O. & Perri S. H. V. 2010. [Phacoemulsification in dogs with and without intraocular lens implantation in piggyback: Clinical study of postoperative inflammation.] Facoemulsificacao em caes, com e sem implante de lente intra-ocular em piggyback: estudo clinico da inflamacao pos-operatoria. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 30(2): 103-107. Departamento de Cirurgia e Anestesiologia Veterinarias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinaria e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus de Botucatu, Botucatu, SP 18618-000, Brazil. E-mail: georgianr@uol.com.br Perioperative and postoperative uveitis is the main problem in cataract surgery in dogs, affecting short-term and long-term postoperative success. Numerous therapeutic methods involving both steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents have been used to reduce surgically-induced uveitis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the postoperative inflammatory reaction and intraocular pressure after phacoemulsification surgery for cataract extraction with and without intraocular piggyback lens (IOL) implantation in dogs. A total of 25 dogs were divided into two groups: Group 1 (with IOL implantation) and Group 2 (without IOL implantation). The performed surgical technique consisted of unilateral bimanual phacoemulsification. Clinical assessment and intraocular pressure were measured before surgery (0) and at 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 60 days after the surgery. Clinical assessment revealed inflammatory reaction more severe in dogs of G1 when compared to G2. Intraocular pressure did not differ significantly either between G1 and G2 or operated and non-operated eyes. Intraocular lens (IOL) implantation using piggyback technique with human IOL is a possible method to be performed in canine ophthalmology. However, nursing care is necessary as the the procedure induces inflammation and complications in the postoperative period.