Peer-reviewed

Expanded Criteria for Pneumatic Retinopexy and Potential Cost Savings – Corrected Proof

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Purpose: To provide insight into the preoperative factors that affect outcome after pneumatic retinopexy (PR) for treatment of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair. Additionally, we sought to analyze the cost of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair in the United States to determine potential cost savings with pneumatic retinopexy.Design: Single-center, retrospective, observational consecutive case series and third party payer-perspective comparative cost analysis.Participants: We included 141 eyes undergoing pneumatic retinopexy for the treatment of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.Methods: Preoperative characteristics, anatomic outcomes, and best-available visual acuity were collected. Anatomic and visual outcomes were analyzed based on the presence of selected preoperative factors. The primary cohort was divided into 2 groups based on preoperative characteristics: (1) traditional pneumatic retinopexy and (2) nontraditional pneumatic retinopexy. Comparative cost analyses were performed between pneumatic retinopexy, scleral buckling, and vitrectomy.Main Outcome Measures: Anatomic and visual outcomes at 6 months.Results: Overall anatomic success was 78.7% and visual acuity improved significantly (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR] 0.48–0.25; P   0.05) and phakic versus pseudophakic groups (logMAR 0.23 vs 0.28; P > 0.05). Visual outcomes were better in macula-on detachments compared with those in which the macula was detached (logMAR 0.18 vs 0.42; P < 0.005). Annual health care cost savings in the United States ranging from $6 to $30 million are theoretically possible by increasing pneumatic retinopexy utilization from the current rate of 15% to 20%–35%.Conclusions: Pneumatic retinopexy is an effective treatment modality for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Anatomic and visual outcomes are similar for traditional and nontraditional preoperative inclusion criteria, as well as phakic and pseudophakic eyes. Inferior breaks and visible vitreous traction on a tear predicted failure. Increased utilization of pneumatic retinopexy would achieve significant cost savings while maintaining outcomes.Financial Disclosure(s): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.