A phacoemulsification handpiece comprising: a proximal portion having a longitudinal axis, and a first end and a second end, wherein at least aspiration, irrigation and power inputs enter the first end; a distal portion along the longitudinal axis and comprising, at a distalmost portion thereof from the proximal portion: a needle configured to be vibrated by a transducer powered by the power input, the transducer residing within the distal portion and being associated with a horn; and characterized in that: the horn has a circumferential flange; and in that the handpiece further comprises: a thumb wheel circumferentially associated with the circumferential flange, and having a portion thereof extending out of the distal portion to allow for a user to rotationally actuate the extending portion; wherein rotational actuation of the thumb wheel affects a rotation of the circumferential flange, wherein the thumb wheel comprises: a circumferential notch for association with the circumferential flange within the distal portion via one or more mating sets of gear teeth (1062, 1064), wherein the circumferential flange of the horn passes through the circumferential notch, and a window through a portion of the thumb wheel that is opposite the extending portion and below the circumferential notch, wherein an irrigation line connected to the irrigation input passes through the window. a proximal portion having a longitudinal axis, and a first end and a second end, wherein at least aspiration, irrigation and power inputs enter the first end; a distal portion along the longitudinal axis and comprising, at a distalmost portion thereof from the proximal portion: a needle configured to be vibrated by a transducer powered by the power input, the transducer residing within the distal portion and being associated with a horn; and characterized in that: the horn has a circumferential flange; and in that the handpiece further comprises: a thumb wheel circumferentially associated with the circumferential flange, and having a portion thereof extending out of the distal portion to allow for a user to rotationally actuate the extending portion; wherein rotational actuation of the thumb wheel affects a rotation of the circumferential flange, wherein the thumb wheel comprises: a circumferential notch for association with the circumferential flange within the distal portion via one or more mating sets of gear teeth (1062, 1064), wherein the circumferential flange of the horn passes through the circumferential notch, and a window through a portion of the thumb wheel that is opposite the extending portion and below the circumferential notch, wherein an irrigation line connected to the irrigation input passes through the window. a thumb wheel circumferentially associated with the circumferential flange, and having a portion thereof extending out of the distal portion to allow for a user to rotationally actuate the extending portion; wherein rotational actuation of the thumb wheel affects a rotation of the circumferential flange, wherein the thumb wheel comprises: a circumferential notch for association with the circumferential flange within the distal portion via one or more mating sets of gear teeth (1062, 1064), wherein the circumferential flange of the horn passes through the circumferential notch, and a window through a portion of the thumb wheel that is opposite the extending portion and below the circumferential notch, wherein an irrigation line connected to the irrigation input passes through the window.