In this study 18% of final year medical students identified surgery as their chosen career pathway. Although lifestyle factors are significant in many students' decision, perceived quality and duration of surgical training were also relevant and are modifiable factors which, if improved could increase interest in surgery as a career.

The SAU provides an effective and efficient mode of assessment of acute surgical patients. While patients were discharged faster from the SAU than the ED, patients rated both units highly in terms of satisfaction with the service provided.

These findings demonstrate that Zn supplementation at the time of ethanol exposure significantly negates the deleterious effects of ethanol on the fetus.

The augmentation index appears be a significant indicator of cardiovascular disease and may be a useful tool in the diagnosis of vascular pathology.

We present a case of a 50-year-old morbidly obese woman who presented with a case of necrotizing fasciitis of the anterior abdominal wall due to a strangulated umbilical hernia. The case was managed through damage control surgery (DCS) with an initial surgery to stabilise the patient and a subsequent definitive operation and biological graft hernia repair. We emphasise the relevance of DCS principles in the management of severe abdominal sepsis.