Alternative prenatal care. Impact of reduced visit frequency, focused visits and continuity of care.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of an alternative prenatal care program for low-risk patients. STUDY DESIGN: Five hundred forty-nine low-risk pregnant women were allocated to the study and control groups. The study group received, on average, eight visits, all of them with one of nine study providers. Each study visit had specific objectives and accompanying targeted patient education handouts. The control group received the usual prenatal care (on average, 13 visits) with different providers, according to the customary schedule. RESULTS: There were no significant pregnancy outcome differences between the groups. The study vs. control group differed significantly (P < .0001) in patient satisfaction regarding the number of prenatal visits. There was a higher level of satisfaction in the study group concerning continuity of care (P < .0001). The alternative prenatal care program reduced the number of prenatal visits by 27% and was not associated with any change in maternal or perinatal outcomes. Patient satisfaction parameters were either maintained or improved with alternative prenatal care. CONCLUSION: An alternative prenatal care program for low-risk patients reduced resource utilization without adversely affecting prenatal care process variables, pregnancy outcome or patient satisfaction.

Combined vesicovaginal-ureterovaginal fistulas associated with a vaginal foreign body.

A case is presented of vesicovaginal-ureterovaginal fistulas associated with a neglected vaginal foreign body. The patient complained of a foul-smelling vaginal discharge and was found to have a 4-cm hard vaginal mass on examination. Urinary incontinence developed subsequently. Examination under anesthesia was performed, and an aerosol deodorant cap was operatively removed from her posterior vagina/perirectal space. Subsequent work-up demonstrated the presence of both a vesicovaginal fistula and a right ureterovaginal fistula. The patient underwent a combined vaginal repair of the vesicovaginal fistula and abdominal ureteroneocystostomy. The frequency, types, etiology, and treatment of genitourinary fistulas are reviewed with particular attention to those associated with a vaginal foreign body.

The clinical implications of retroperitoneal endometriosis.

Over the past 10 years five patients with endometriosis involving only retroperitoneal structures in the pelvis without intraperitoneal involvement have been managed at the University of California-Los Angeles Hospital. These patients have presented difficult diagnostic and therapeutic problems. Moreover, this interesting but uncommon distribution of the disease has led to speculation concerning its pathogenesis. The substantial threat to the urinary tract and rectosigmoid colon is noted. Although a concurrent study at this hospital indicates a low incidence of endometriosis involving pelvic lymph nodes, it is quite apparent from the distribution of these instances of retroperitoneal involvement that its spread from the endometrium very likely takes place through pelvic lymphatics.