Costs and outcomes of phacoemulsification for cataracts performed by residents.

PURPOSE: To describe costs and outcomes of phacoemulsification for cataracts performed by ophthalmology residents. METHODS: We obtained medical records from patients operated on in 2011 by third year residents (R3) using phacoemulsification (n=576). Our expenses estimation included professionals' and hospital costs (fees, materials, medications, and equipment). The study outcomes included spectacle-corrected visual acuities before and six months after the operation, rate of intraoperative complications, and total number of postoperative visits. We compared outcome variables with those from extracapsular cataract extraction procedures (n=274) performed by R3 residents in 1997. RESULTS: The mean total cost for phacoemulsification was US$ 416, while an overall estimation indicated the extracapsular cataract extraction cost at US$ 284 (as of December 30, 2011). The mean preoperative spectacle-corrected visual acuity was worse for eyes scheduled for extracapsular cataract extraction (1.73 ± 0.62), than for eyes scheduled for phacoemulsification (0.74 ± 0.54 logMAR) (p<0.01); the mean postoperative visual acuity was better for phacoemulsification (0.21 ± 0.36 logMAR), than for extracapsular cataract extraction (0.63 ± 0.63 logMAR) (p<0.01). Most patients undergoing phacoemulsification (85%) achieved postoperative spectacle-corrected visual acuities ≥0.30 logMAR, while only 45% of those undergoing extracapsular cataract extractions achieved the same postoperative visual acuity (p<0.01). The rate of intraoperative complications was significantly higher after extracapsular cataract extractions (21%) than it was after phacoemulsifications (7.6%) (p<0.01), and the mean number of postoperative visits was also higher after extracapsular cataract extractions (5.6 ± 2.3) than after phacoemulsifications (4.5 ± 2.4) (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: These data indicate that cataract surgery performed by in-training ophthalmologists using phacoemulsification is expensive, but compared to extracapsular cataract extraction results, teaching phacoemulsification leads to an approximate three-fold lower complication rate, smaller number of postoperative visits and, most importantly, better visual acuities.

[Cost of phacoemulsification in the national campaign of elective cataract surgery in Itápolis, SP, Brazil]. / Custo da facoemulsificação no projeto catarata em Itápolis, SP.

PURPOSE: To determine the average cost of cataract surgery using the phacoemulsification technique with intraocular lens implant (IOL). This study was conducted during a national campaign to treat patients with cataracts promoted by the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology (CBO) and the Health Ministry in the city of Itápolis-SP from March to December, 2000. METHODS: All expenses related to the surgery were collected (pre-, intra-, and postoperative data) and analyzed. Fifty-eight patients with senile cataracts and without any other ocular findings were submitted to the procedure in a prospective study. RESULTS: The average cost of the surgery in this study was R$ 485.03 or USD 248.05. This value represents the average cost of the surgery itself; in which some materials, equipment, taxes and other services were previously determined and used for this project. CONCLUSION: The phacoemulsification technique for cataract surgery has been used more and more, due to its effectiveness, being an excellent method to treat cataracts. Although this is an excellent technique, the economical aspect does not allow it to be used for part of the population.

Custo da facoemulsificação no projeto catarata em Itápolis, SP / Cost of phacoemulsification in the national campaing of elective cataract surgery in Itápolis, SP, Brazil

OBJETIVO: Determinar o custo médio do ato operatório da cirurgia de catarata, pela técnica de facoemulsificação com implante de lente intra-ocular (LIO), realizado durante a Campanha Nacional de Cirurgias Eletivas de Catarata, promovido pelo Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia (CBO) e Ministério da Saúde na cidade de Itápolis - SP, no hospital local, entre os meses de março a dezembro do ano de 2000. MÉTODOS: Análise de custos pré e pós-operatórios a partir de coleta de dados e cálculos inserido no trabalho que visam quantificar os resultados financeiros obtidos na cirurgia de catarata. Para isto realizou-se estudo prospectivo de caso em série. Um grupo com catarata senil submeteu-se à intervenção cirúrgica. Foram verificados neste estudo 58 cirurgias de catarata. RESULTADOS: O custo médio do ato operatório foi de R$ 485,03 ou US$ 248,05. Este valor representa o custo médio da intervenção cirúrgica propriamente dita; em que determinadas insumos, equipamentos, taxas e/ou outros serviços foram previamente determinados e utilizados para este projeto. CONCLUSAO: A técnica de facoemulsificação na cirurgia de catarata, tem-se tornado procedimento cada vez mais utilizado devido à sua comprovada eficácia, sendo método de excelência no tratamento da catarata. Apesar desta técnica encontrar-se solidificada, deparamo-nos com um problema de ordem econômica, pois o seu custo ainda a faz inacessível a uma parcela da população.