Maternal coagulopathy after umbilical cord occlusion for twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence.

BACKGROUND: Twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence is a rare complication of monochorionic twin gestations for which therapy involves the disruption of vascular anastomoses between the pump twin and acardiac twin and death of the acardius. CASE: A 37-year-old woman, gravida 11 para 2, with a monochorionic twin pregnancy complicated by twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence who underwent umbilical cord occlusion at 24 weeks of gestation was admitted in preterm labor at 33 weeks of gestation. Maternal disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was diagnosed and her labor was induced. She received multiple blood products to correct her coagulopathy and had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery of the viable pump twin. CONCLUSION: Maternal DIC may complicate fetal death after umbilical cord occlusion.

Evaluation of the impact of resident work hour restrictions on resident outpatient clinical experience.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of work hour restrictions on resident outpatient clinical experience. STUDY DESIGN: Schedule templates from academic years 1998-1999 (before work hour restrictions), 2002-2003 (when night float rotation was added in anticipation of work hour restrictions), and 2008-2009 (during work hour restrictions) were compared for outpatient clinic experience before and after work hour restrictions were implemented. Actual clinics on specific rotations and estimated patient encounters per scheduled clinic were considered. RESULTS: Between academic year (AY) 1998-1999 and AY 2008-2009 there was a generalized downward trend in average outpatient encounters for postgraduate year (PGY)-2, PGY-3 and PGY-4 residents (45%, 34% and 36%, respectively). For obstetrics, gynecology and ambulatory rotations, there was a downward trend in average outpatient encounters for each rotation type (61%, 14% and 63%, respectively). The average number of scheduled clinics per week was slightly decreased when comparing AY 1998-1999 to either AY 2002-2003 or AY 2008-2009. CONCLUSION: Rotation schedules before and after work hour restrictions demonstrated a downward trend in the number of scheduled outpatient encounters. These findings indicate a potential negative impact on preparation for clinical practice.