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A newborn with ambiguous genitalia is an urgent problem which must be solved quickly and accurately. Adequate studies can be performed in the first few days of life to guide the physician to the correct gender choice. This paper outlines etiology, types of anomalies seen most often, studies that should be done to define the problem, factors guiding the choice of gender, and corrective surgical procedures.

Splenic and hepatic trauma are discussed in terms of diagnosis, management, and surgical treatment. Rupture of the spleen should seldom be fatal when there are no other multiple injuries present which jeopardize life. Rupture of the liver, in contrast, can result in death before surgical intervention can be accomplished, and mortality remains significant despite immediate surgical intervention.