Records of 1200 consecutive open cholecystectomies, performed by a teaching service of a large, urban hospital in the years immediately preceding the laparoscopic era, were reviewed for morbidity and mortality rates. The mortality rate in this series was 1.8%, chiefly in the older age groups. Only two ductal injuries were incurred. A review of published series from 1952 through 1990 revealed a mean mortality rate of 1.53%. These recent observations on the morbidity and mortality after open operation should provide a useful standard of comparison with ongoing similar studies of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

We aim to first systematically review and perform a meta‐analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and, second, to evaluate the accuracy of various sonographic diagnostic criteria for adenomyosis. A search of PubMed and Embase yielded 32 eligible studies. In diagnosing adenomyosis, the diagnostic performance of TVUS was found to be high and comparable to the performance of MRI. Of the eight sonographic criteria, only five were assessable. The best individual criterion was echogenic subendometrial lines and buds. Limited data exist for the various sonographic criteria, and further studies are required to compare their performance.

The prevalence of potential drug-CAM interactions among patients in the emergency department is considerable, and some of these interactions could be clinically significant. Practitioners should increase their awareness of potential drug-CAM interactions, and education initiatives aimed at encouraging patient-physician discussion of CAM use are recommended, such as a CAM history in their patient evaluation. Further research is required to better determine the clinical significance of drug-CAM interactions.

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Complementary and alternative medicines are used by a considerable proportion of ED patients. The potential for side-effects, toxicity and interaction with traditional medication indicates the need for consideration of CAM use in patient assessment.

Background-Policies and protocols for fetal surveillance in the pregnancy where impaired fetal growth is suspected vary widely, with numerous combinations of different surveillance methods.

Background-Policies and protocols for fetal surveillance in the pregnancy where impaired fetal growth is suspected vary widely, with numerous combinations of different surveillance methods.

Cord gases and placental histology should be sought in all babies with low Apgar scores for the benefit of understanding causation, counselling of the parents, research and professional liability assessment. Heightened awareness for adverse perinatal outcomes is required by health care professionals when a neonate requires resuscitation.