Return to the Operating Room after Macular Surgery: IRIS Registry Analysis.

PURPOSE

To investigate the rate of return to the operating room after vitrectomy surgery to treat macular hole or epiretinal membrane.

DESIGN

A retrospective registry cohort.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals receiving care in ophthalmology practices participating in the Academy IRIS (Intelligent Research in Sight) Registry.

METHODS

Data from the IRIS Registry were analyzed for patients who underwent vitrectomy for macular holes or epiretinal membranes. Cases were identified by the combination of International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision code (362.54, 362.56) and a current procedural terminology (CPT) code for vitrectomy surgery between January 1, 2013 and June 30, 2017.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The eyes that underwent additional eye surgery within 1 year after initial vitrectomy for macular hole or epiretinal membrane were identified, as was the nature of the additional procedures per CPT code.

RESULTS

A total of 41 475 eyes underwent vitrectomy for macular hole and 73 219 eyes underwent vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane during the study period. In the macular hole group, 7573 had a second surgery within 1 year, and 2827 (6.8%) had a second surgery that was not cataract related. In the epiretinal membrane group, 12 433 had a second surgery within 1 year, 4022 (5.5%) of which were not cataract related. In the macular hole group, 4.6% of eyes returned to the operating room for another macular hole repair surgery, and 2.0% returned for retinal detachment repair. In the epiretinal membrane group, 1.4% returned for a second vitrectomy with membrane stripping, and 2.5% returned for retinal detachment repair.

CONCLUSIONS

This registry-based study encompassed a large number of patients but was limited by the inaccessibility of some information and the potential for inaccurate medical records or coding, as it obtained data from multiple electronic health records entities. Excluding cataract surgery, approximately 6% of eyes that underwent vitrectomy to address macular hole or epiretinal membrane returned for a second ophthalmic procedure within a year. In the macular hole group, most secondary non-cataract surgeries were for another macular hole repair procedure. For both macular holes and epiretinal membranes, approximately 2% of eyes required retinal detachment repair surgery within 1 year.