3005: Retrieving a broken chopper tip IOFB
A structural failure of a surgical instrument inside the eye during phacoemulsification is a rare but highly challenging complication that requires immediate, meticulous intervention. In this case, a small metal phaco chopper tip broke off and became lodged deep within the eye, presenting a significant management dilemma. Utilizing advanced imaging such as ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) is essential to pinpoint the exact location of the metallic shard in the posterior chamber or retroiridal space when direct visualization is obscured. Watch the video to analyze the precise fluidic control and specialized intraocular maneuvers required to safely grasp and extract the foreign object without inducing additional structural trauma. Have you ever experienced an instrument fragmenting mid-procedure, and what was your workflow for locating and retrieving it? Please comment your experiences and strategies below.
