Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the lenticule integrity and refractive outcomes of a new technique, Ye's swing technique, during small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).
Methods: This prospective study enrolled patients who underwent the SMILE procedure using a modified technique for lenticule dissection. Per the standard SMILE procedure, the cap cut was opened using a hook, and an anterior dissection was performed with a counterclockwise swing, from 8 to 12 o'clock. A posterior dissection was then performed by swinging counterclockwise, leaving a thin band of the peripheral rim undissected, from 8 to 4 o'clock. The counterclockwise swing was continued to separate the edges of the rim from 4 to 12 o'clock, after which microforceps were used to extract the lenticules. The primary outcome measures were safety and lenticule integrity at the end of the surgery, and the secondary outcome measure was efficacy. Changes in the ocular parameters from the preoperative visit to 1 month postoperative, including uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity, manifest refraction, lenticule quality, and lenticule residual, were assessed using optical coherence tomography.
Results: A total of 246 patients (490 eyes) with myopia and myopic astigmatism were included in the present study. The dissected lenticules ranged in size from 52 to 148 µm. Postoperatively, the lenticule was completely and successfully extracted in all cases. There was no incisional edge tearing during lenticule separation.
Conclusions: Ye's swing technique is a safe and effective procedure for lenticule dissection and refractive outcomes. We have now adopted this technique as our routine method for performing the SMILE procedure.
Keywords: Intraoperative complications; Lenticule tear; Myopia; SMILE; Small-incision lenticule extraction; Swing technique.
© 2022. The Author(s).