Recent Advances in Surgery is designed to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive review of important and topical issues both in surgery in general, as well as in the major subspecialties of general surgery. Recent Advances in Surgery 34 is no exception. The general topics covered include the management of the diabetic surgical patient, the issue of patient consent and how guidelines determine surgical practice. The upper gastrointestinal topics covered are gastric outlet obstruction, the relationship between volume and outcome for upper gastrointestinal malignancy, techniques in laparoscopic and open liver resection, and the management of advanced gallbladder cancer. Lower gastrointestinal surgery includes rectal and pelvic prolapse, and the management of an intestinal fistula and the modern management of haemorrhoids. There is an overview on recent changes in vascular surgery and the management of retroperitoneal sarcoma. Breast surgery topics include the management of the axilla and the role of radiotherapy in breast cancer. As always, we include a comprehensive review of recent randomised trials in surgery. We hope that each of these important and relevant topics will provide a valuable resource for both surgeons-in-training undertaking professional examinations, and consultant surgeons wishing to keep up-to-date.