3077: divide and conquer is still good to know
While mechanical techniques like phaco chop and flip-and-chop offer great efficiency and lower cumulative dissipated energy, classic divide and conquer remains a foundational procedure that every cataract surgeon must know. Sculpting central trenches provides excellent visual feedback regarding nuclear density and depth, giving the surgeon complete mechanical control before committing to cracking. In eyes with softer nuclei, deep anterior chambers, or subtle zonular weakness where placing a chopper peripherally under the capsulorhexis carries extra risk, a beautifully executed divide and conquer technique delivers predictable, controlled nuclear division. Watch the video to observe the precise sculpting, cracking mechanics, and clean nuclear quadrant separation demonstrated in this case. Under what specific surgical scenarios or nuclear densities do you still find yourself reaching for classic divide and conquer as your primary plan? Please comment your thoughts below.
