A cost effectiveness analysis of cataract surgery

Purpose: to compare the use of disposable vs. reusable instruments in anterior and posterior segment surgery. Efficiency, effectiveness, time and cost reduction of cataract and retina surgery were evaluated. Methods: starting from January 2012 until July 2012, 4 different eye surgeons in the Department of Ophthalmology at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart Hospital have been monitored in 64 different operating session, both for anterior (cataract) and posterior segment (membrane peeling and retinal detachment). We record data on: timing of intervention, staff employed (with an estimation of labour costs), material and drug used and adverse events. The full cost of three different surgical procedures, cataract, epiretinal membrane peeling and vitrectomy for retinal detachment, have been calculated with individual differences among surgeons. Results: using disposable instruments all surgeons were able to perform 33% more surgical procedures than reusable surgical, both in anterior and posterior segment. Disposables allow a greater efficiency with labour cost saving and turnover time reduction. High surgeons acceptance rate was also recorded because of a significant reduction of surgical malfunctions. Conclusions: our study demonstrate tangible benefits of using disposable surgical in cataract and retinal surgery.