A bimanual phacoemulsification technique for dissecting and removing the firm lens nucleus is described. The technique is a surgical hybrid that combines concepts developed by several surgeons. Bimanual posterior and peripheral nuclear bowl fiber separation (nuclear fracture) has been incorporated into the anatomic dissection of the lens within the capsular bag. This dissection is accomplished with the 45-degree tip on separated nuclear components in situ after capsulorhexis. Combining the best features of various techniques permits this hybrid method to be applied to firm cataracts by most surgeons currently performing phacoemulsification.