• J C Norregaard, P Bernth-Petersen, L Bellan, J Alonso, C Black, E Dunn, T F Andersen, M Espallargues, and G F Anderson.
• Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
• Ophthalmology. 1999 Jan 1; 106 (1): 42-8.

ObjectiveTo examine variation in intraoperative clinical practice and rates of adverse events after cataract surgery across four different healthcare systems.DesignMulticenter cohort study.ParticipantsPatients were recruited from ophthalmic clinics in the United States (n = 75); in the Province of Manitoba, Canada (n = 12); in Denmark (n = 17); and the City of Barcelona, Spain (n = 10). In all, 1420 patients undergoing first eye cataract surgery were enrolled, with preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative clinical data collected on 1344 patients (95%).Main Outcome MeasuresOccurrence of 23 specified intraoperative and early postoperative adverse events was measured. Four-month postoperative visual acuity outcome also was measured.ResultsPhacoemulsification was performed in two thirds of the extractions in the United States and Manitoba, in one third in Denmark, and in 3% in Barcelona (P < 0.001). More than 96% of extractions in North America and Denmark were performed with the patient under local anesthesia, whereas general anesthesia was used for 38% of extractions in Barcelona (P < 0.001). Rates of intraoperative adverse events were 11% to 12.8% in Manitoba, Denmark, and Barcelona and significantly lower in the United States (6%), mainly because of a lower rate of capsular rupture (P < 0.01). Significantly higher rates of early postoperative events were seen in the United States (18.8%) and Manitoba (20.4%) compared to Denmark (7.9%) and Barcelona (5%) (P < 0.001). The differences among sites in rates of events could not be explained by differences in recorded patient characteristics or surgical techniques. The occurrence of perioperative events was significantly associated with a worse 4-month visual outcome.ConclusionThe observed variation in clinical practice might represent a general trend of a slower diffusion of new medical technology in Europe compared with that of North America. Rates of intraoperative and early postoperative events varied significantly across sites.

25 keywords...

hide…