Regional practice patterns for retinal detachment repair in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if there are variations in regional practice patterns for retinal detachment repair in the United States.


METHODS
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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Doheny Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. jhwang@doheny.org
John C
JC
Hwang
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D039702:Current Procedural Terminology; D018588:Fee-for-Service Plans; D005843:Geography; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D016345:Medicare Part B / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012591:Scleral Buckling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*