Comparative Evaluation of Extra Capsular Extraction (ECE) with Suture and Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS) Manual without Suture in the University Hospital of Bouake (Ivory Coast)

Objective: Cataract is a partial or total opacification of the lens responsible for blindness. The treatment is surgical. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the results of the newly introduced manual small incision cataract surgery (SICS) and compare them with those of the conventional extra-capsular extraction method. Patients and Method: Analytical cross-sectional study was carried out at the ophthalmology department of the University Hospital of Bouaké for a period of 1 year. Results: The two surgical techniques were compared at equal proportions. The average duration of interventions was longer during the sutured Extra Capsular Extraction (ECE) compared to the SICS. Rupture of the posterior capsule with vitreous exit, which was the most observed intraoperative complication, was predominant with ECE with suture (16%) against 8% for SICS. Corneal edema observed in the early postoperative period, was predominant with sutured ECE (30%), against 20% for SICS. Corneal edema, which was more observed with EEC compared to SICS, dominated secondary and late postoperative complications. Post-operative astigmatism induced by ECE with suture was between ?2 and ?4 dioptre in 51.5% of patients and between ?0.5 and ?2 dioptre in 73.91% of SICS. Visual acuity without correction in the early days was better with SICS. Conclusion: In this comparative study of cataract surgery, we noted superimposable results for both techniques. However, the prevalence of pre- and post-operative complications was more frequent with sutured ECE. The technique without suture allows visual recovery and a quick return to normal life.