What do women want to know after childbirth?

BACKGROUND: Postpartum women have demonstrated a variety of health care concerns. This study, conducted in Washington state in 1991, investigated predictors of primiparas' and multiparas' desire to receive more information about 18 self-care and baby care topics at 7 weeks postpartum in relation to prenatal class attendance, short postpartum hospital stay, and other variables. METHODS: Data from 1161 women who completed a survey were analyzed. Percentages of women desiring more information on each topic were calculated stratified by parity; mean numbers of chosen health topics were calculated in relation to prenatal education, length of postpartum hospitalization, maternal age, education, social support, and type of delivery; and association between desire for more information on specific topics and length of postpartum hospitalization, maternal age, maternal education, and social support were calculated. RESULTS: Over three-fourths of women wanted more information on at least one topic, and the highest percentage wanted more information on exercise, diet, and nutrition; getting along with their other children; and recognizing infant illness. Primiparas and multiparas who desired more information were under 25 years of age and had low levels of social support; in addition, multiparas with unmet information needs had low education and short postpartum stays. Prenatal education was unrelated to postpartum desire for more information. CONCLUSION: Most postpartum women want self-care and baby care information, a need that is not completely met by prenatal or postpartum education. Postpartum follow-up programs with a strong educational component and special targeting of high-risk women may enable health caregivers to better address this need.

Multiple cholesterol embolization syndrome: a lethal complication of vascular procedures. Report of two histologically proven cases.

Two cases of multiple cholesterol embolization syndrome (MCES) leading to death are presented. Rarely described and labeled as a "great masquerader", its presence in the medical literature is growing, since it is best diagnosed, but despite the high frequency with which MCES may occur, only a few cases are reported. This syndrome is not universally recognised.

[Ascending aorta-supraceliac++ aorta bypass. Correction of a case of atypical coarctation in the adult]. / By-pass aorta ascendente-aorta supracelíaca: corrección de un caso de coartación atípica en el adulto.

A case of atypic coarctation at the aortic arch in an adult patient is described. Coarctation was surgically treated by a retrosternal bypass from the ascendant aorta to the supra-celiac aorta. After a short prelude the clinical case is summarized. Furthermore, the etiopathogenic features of the disease, the different diagnostic methods and the multiple surgical procedures are discussed. Finally, we briefly review the literature.

[Arteriosclerotic aneurysms isolated from the internal iliac artery]. / Aneurismas arterioesclerosos aislados de la arteria ilíaca interna.

A case of an isolate, symptomatic, atherosclerotic aneurysm of the left internal iliac artery is presented. A review from this very rare type of pathology reveal that clinical symptoms depends on the comprised anatomical structures. Diagnosis was made by rectal or vaginal touch, ultrasonography and CT. The operatoire mortality rate is high when aneurysms are ruptured.

[Vascular diseases masking malignant tumors of soft tissues]. / Procesos vasculares enmascarando tumores malignos de partes blandas.

Two case reports with Myxoid and Pleomorphic varieties of Malign Fibrohistiocytoma are presented. In both cases, the first consult took place in an Angiology and Vascular Surgery Service, because their clinical symptoms were similar in the first case to such produced by the arteriovenous fistulas and in the second case, symptoms remaid to an hematoma secondary to a varicose vein rupture. Such rare and malign tumors often are diagnosed as vascular diseases, and they may be discovered in the usual clinical practice, so its important an accurate recognition as well as an adequate treatment.

[Popliteal and infrapopliteal vascular injuries. A surgical challenge]. / Traumatismos vasculares poplíteos e infrapoplíteos. Un reto quirúrgico.

Prospective study of 11 patients with lower limbs traumatisms, affecting vessels under Hunter canal. The results of surgical treatment (no prosthesis) are analyzed. In all cases there was bony and/o articular lesion.

[Inflammatory aneurysm of the abdominal aorta. Apropos of a case]. / Aneurismas inflamatorios de aorta abdominal. A propósito de un caso.

The presentation of a case of inflammatory aneurysm in abdominal aorta and its bibliographic revision, makes evident the short knowledge of its etiopathogenesis and the need of TAC for its differential diagnosis and its treatment and correct follow up.