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Title: Intraoperative clinical practice and risk of early complications after cataract extraction in the United States, Canada, Denmark, and Spain. Author: Norregaard JC, Bernth-Petersen P, Bellan L, Alonso J, Black C, Dunn E, Andersen TF, Espallargues M, Anderson GF. Journal: Ophthalmology; 1999 Jan; 106(1):42-8. PubMed ID: 9917779. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To examine variation in intraoperative clinical practice and rates of adverse events after cataract surgery across four different healthcare systems. DESIGN: Multicenter cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients 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 MEASURES: Occurrence of 23 specified intraoperative and early postoperative adverse events was measured. Four-month postoperative visual acuity outcome also was measured. RESULTS: Phacoemulsification 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. CONCLUSION: The 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.[Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]