A combination of an irrigation sleeve (20) and a phacoemulsification needle (22). The irrigation sleeve (20) has a proximal end (32) and a distal end (30), the proximal end for attachment to a surgical handpiece. The phacoemulsification needle (22) has a proximal end (26), a distal end (24), and a lumen (38) spanning a length of the needle (22) from the proximal end (26) to the distal end (24). The needle proximal end (26) is for connection to the surgical handpiece, and the needle (22) has structure (44) proximate the needle distal end (24) for retaining the sleeve distal end (30) near the needle distal end (24).