Pathologies of the appendix: a 10-year review of 4670 appendicectomy specimens.

Background: Debate surrounds the management of the macroscopically normal appendix. Current literature recommends its removal given the high incidence of microscopic appendicitis, and other unusual pathologies in the normal-looking appendix. Negative appendicectomies are reported on the decline with increased use of diagnostic radiological adjuncts.

Screening for hepatitis C virus infection in methadone-maintained mothers and their infants.

Objective: To describe the patterns of screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in methadone-maintained pregnant women and their infants.

Design, Setting And Patients: Retrospective review of medical records from one rural and two metropolitan hospitals in New South Wales for pregnant women on methadone maintenance treatment and infants born to these women between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2006, as well as records for pregnant women who were not on methadone treatment.

Main Outcome Measures: Rates of anti-HCV antibody and HCV RNA testing for pregnant women and their infants, and ages at which infants attended follow-up appointments.

Pregnancy and neonatal characteristics of opioid-dependent Indigenous Australians: a rural and metropolitan comparison.

Aims: To identify maternal, obstetric and neonatal characteristics of opioid-dependent Indigenous Australians in rural and metropolitan settings.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of 232 metropolitan and 67 rural infants born to mothers maintained on methadone throughout pregnancy for the treatment of opiate dependency, between January 2000 and December 2006. Medical records of identified mother/infant dyads were reviewed by evaluating 20 different maternal, obstetric and neonatal parameters.