Service use and outcomes of first-admission patients with psychotic disorders in the Suffolk County Mental Health Project

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to examine the inpatient and outpatient service use and 4-year outcomes of newly admitted psychotic patients during a period of rapid change in the provision of psychiatric services in a well-defined catchment area in New York State in the 1990s. METHOD: Subjects were 573 participants of the Suffolk County Mental Health Project. This group comprised patients with psychotic disorders first admitted between September 1989 and August 1995 to 12 inpatient facilities across Suffolk County, N.Y., and followed for up to 48 months. The subjects' service use, course of illness, symptomatic outcomes, suicide risk, homelessness risk, and satisfaction with care were compared across admission years. RESULTS: The length of inpatient stays decreased significantly across the years. However, the number of outpatient visits and therapy sessions did not vary. Although the patients admitted in later years were more symptomatic at admission to their first hospitalization, their course and outcomes over the follow-up period were not worse and they were not less satisfied with their care, compared with the patients admitted in earlier years. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical characteristics of patients and the role of inpatient care in the management of patients with psychotic disorders gradually changed during the 1990s. These changes, however, were not associated with changes in the use of outpatient services or outcomes. Nevertheless, shorter hospital stays and the presence of more severely ill patients highlight the need for more attention to linkage to aftercare and enhancement of support networks in the community.     

Contemporary management of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM): a survey of maternal-fetal medicine providers

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to characterize variations in the management for women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) among maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists in the context of current recommendations for clinical practice and evidenced-based practice. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a Web-based survey of 1375 MFM providers. Participants were queried on practice characteristics and management issues including use of tocolytics, antibiotics, steroids, and timing of delivery. RESULTS: A total of 508 providers (37%), representing all 50 states and 13 countries, responded to the survey. Only 30% reported a formal departmental protocol for managing women with PPROM. Consistent use of steroids (99.4%) and antibiotics (99.6%) were reported. Administration of steroids was confined to < or =32 weeks by 37%, and < or =34 weeks by 51% of practitioners. Repeated dosing of steroids was uncommon (16%). The antibiotics use and rationale for use varied among respondents. Tocolytics were used by 73% of respondents with magnesium sulfate the main agent used (98%). Use of tocolytics was generally used for 48 hours or less to attain steroid benefit (88%). Amniocentesis was used by 66% of practitioners in the acute evaluation of PPROM. Fetal lung maturity testing was reported by 78% with variability noted with respect to the test used. Outpatient management of women with PPROM after viability was noted by 43% of respondents. Gestational age at which expectant management is abandoned in women with PPROM varied significantly between respondents: > or =34 weeks by 56%, > pr =35 weeks by 26%, > or =36 weeks by 12%, and > or =37 weeks by 4.0%. CONCLUSION: Although many management practices for women with PPROM are consistent with currently available evidence and practice recommendations, substantial variations still exist among MFM providers.     

Urinary diversion following radical pelvic surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To describe the reconstructive techniques in urinary diversion utilized by the gynecologist after radical pelvic surgery. The radical resection of pelvic malignancies remains an important part of the armamentarium of the gynecological oncologist. Techniques in continent urinary diversion should be used to restore these women to an acceptable quality of life. Reconstruction is the surgical challenge of this and future generations of pelvic surgeons. It is imperative that pelvic surgeons begin to consider the quality of life and the functional reintegration into society of the patients we are able to salvage with these radical surgical efforts. RECENT FINDINGS: The advent of continent urostomies has significantly improved the quality of life of patients who undergo radical tumor resection involving the bladder. Such techniques prevent the need for urostomy bags, and thus all the physical and psychological ramifications associated with them. We will review recent literature associated with the complications and the management of these complications. SUMMARY: Familiarity with techniques in continent urinary diversion by the gynecologist is an important part of the management of patients with gynecological malignancies and permanent bladder atony.     

Stent-graft treatment of extracranial carotid and vertebral arterial lesions

Five patients with pseudoaneurysms of the carotid artery (n = 4) and an arteriovenous fistula of the vertebral artery (n = 1) were treated with stent-grafts. Commercially made devices were used in all but one of the patients. In four of the five patients, the pathology was successfully excluded. One patient had a small type-I endoleak. There were no immediate procedure-related complications or neurologic sequalae. All experienced immediate resolution of symptoms. One patient was lost to follow-up after discharge and another died 2 weeks after intervention. The remaining patients remained asymptomatic with patent stent-grafts after follow-up periods of 14, 16, and 46 months, respectively.     

Endoscope-assisted microsurgery for microvascular compression syndromes

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the results of endoscope-assisted surgery in microvascular decompression (MVD) of Cranial Nerves (CNs) V, VII, and VIII. METHODS: Neuroendoscopy was used as an adjunct to the surgical microscope in the MVD of the trigeminal (17 patients), facial (10 patients), and vestibulocochlear (1 patient) nerves in a series of 28 consecutive patients. After a standard microsurgical approach to CNs V, VII, and VIII, the endoscope was used to inspect all aspects of neural anatomy, to assess vascular compression, and to check the results of the decompression. Endoscope use was graded in four categories: Grade I, used but no definite role; Grade II, visualization assisted; Grade III, procedure assisted; and Grade IV, primary role. The usefulness of the endoscope was evaluated in each case. RESULTS: The endoscope was useful in visualizing the anatomy in all cases. It was especially useful in establishing trigeminal vein compression of CN V in Meckel's cave; observing multiple sources of vascular compression; ensuring adequate decompression after cauterization of vein, insertion of the Teflon felt, or a pexy procedure; and permitting observation of the compression of CN VII at the root exit zone by small arteries and veins. In six patients with trigeminal neuralgia, the trigeminal vein was cauterized and divided by using endoscopic vision only because the venous compression was not completely visualized with the microscope. During a follow-up period of 6 to 52 months (mean, 29 mo; median, 40 mo), all patients were asymptomatic and receiving no medication. CONCLUSION: The endoscope is a useful adjunct to MVD in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm, and disabling positional vertigo or tinnitus.