A positive intraoperative bile culture was associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates following pancreaticoduodenectomy. A positive culture in the stented group was related to stent complications and duration of stenting. Uncomplicated stenting was not associated with increased morbidity or mortality.

In comparison with the two previous studies, the overall incidence of intracranial abscesses is decreasing on Merseyside. Moreover, the predisposing factors for intracranial abscesses have changed over the decades. The number of otogenic cases has declined. The incidence of brain abscesses following neurosurgical procedures is still a major cause for concern, as is the emergence of MRSA, as a significant pathogen.

Stomach cancer incidence rates are much lower in India than elsewhere, but the stomach remains one of the 10 leading sites of cancer in both sexes in most of the metropolitan registries. This is an unmatched case-control study of stomach cancer carried out at Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), Mumbai. Our purpose was to identify the association of tobacco and alcohol use, occupational hazards, diet, consumption of beverages like tea and coffee, the living environment, cooking media and literacy with stomach cancer. Our study included 170 stomach cancer cases and 2,184 hospital controls interviewed during the period 1988 -1992. Tobacco chewing, bidi or cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking did not emerge as high risk factors for stomach cancer. Consumption of dry fish at least once a week compared to never or once a every 2 weeks showed a 12-fold excess risk (OR ‫؍‬ 12.4, 95% CI 7.0 -22.1, p < 0.0001) for stomach cancer among the nonvegetarian food items considered. A protective effect of tea consumption (OR ‫؍‬ 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.9, p ‫؍‬ 0.03), showing 59% reduction in risk, was identified, which could be of use for possible control and prevention of this cancer.

One swears by whole meal bread, one by sour milk; vegetarianism is the only road to salvation of some, others insist not only on vegetables alone, but on eating those raw. At one time the only thing that matters is calories; at another time they are crazy about vitamins and roughage. The scientific truth may be put quite briefly; eat moderately, have an ordinary mixed diet and don't worry.

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