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.
