Purpose: To determine if there are variations in regional practice patterns for retinal detachment repair in the United States.
Design: Retrospective, noninterventional, cross-sectional study.
Methods: Year 2009 Medicare fee-for-service claims for retinal detachment repair were aggregated in 4 geographic regions and evaluated. The relative preference for retinal detachment repair by pars plana vitrectomy, scleral buckling, and pneumatic retinopexy was analyzed.
Results: The Midwest demonstrated a greater preference for scleral buckling compared to all other regions (P < .01) and lower preference for pars plana vitrectomy relative to the South and West (P ≤ .02). The Northeast demonstrated a greater preference for pneumatic retinopexy when compared to all other regions (P < .01). The Northeast also revealed a trend toward a lower preference for pars plana vitrectomy compared to the West and South (P ≤ .08).
Conclusion: There are statistically significant variations in regional practice patterns for retinal detachment repair. The West, despite its historical association with pneumatic retinopexy, did not demonstrate a greater preference for the surgical technique.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.