British Journal of Surgery 1997, 84, 1180-1181

Book reviews

Cardiac Surgery. Safeguards and Pitfalls in Operative Technique. 2nd ed. S. Khonsari (ed.). 285 X 222 mm. Pp. 341. Illustrated. 1996. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Lippincott-Raven. f149.50.

This is the second edition of a book that is essentially an atlas with excellent text covering the whole spectrum of cardiac surgery. The high points are the clear diagrams and the detailed discussion of common problems. The move from an apprentice- ship to a shorter residency-type training, which Calman changes have produced in the UK, has increased the need for a volume of this kind that will serve as an excellent introductory guide to individuals in cardiac surgery in their first few years. The book presents a North American view of cardiac surgery that is somewhat different from European views; for example, it does not cover non-cardioplegic methods of myocardial protection for coronary artery surgery. The early chapters deal with the essence of cardiopulmonary bypass and details of cannulation technique. There is a short chapter on myocardial protection and a chapter that deals with venting and de-airing, an important subject often left undiscussed. Further text deals with all types of adult and congenital heart disease. There are particularly clear drawings of the relationships of the aortic valve and the mitral valve, and precise details are given of correct suture placement for valve insertion. The chapter on surgery of the aorta is good overall, with details of how to handle complications. It is peculiar that the Marfan-type aorta is omitted, especially in view of the increasing tendency towards early prophylactic surgery for this condition in order to stabilize the aortic root. The intricacies of perfusion techniques for surgery of the aorta are not dealt with in detail, although there is some discussion of retrograde cerebral perfusion. The section on congenital heart disease contains some excellent illustrations, and very clear diagrams are given to enhance the discussion of anomalous pulmonary venous connection and atrioventricular septa1 defect in particular. There are clear descriptions of right atrial and right ventricular anatomy. In summary, this is a book to be recommended, especially to specialist registrars in cardiac surgery. A trainee who reads the description of an operation on the preceding evening would be well placed to understand the procedure in greater depth the following day.

J. Pepper

Royal Brompton Hospital Fulham Road London SW3 6HP UK

Emergency Vascular Practice A. D. B. Chant and A . A . B. Burros D’Sa (eds). 279 x 203 mm. Pp. 269. Illustrated. 1996. London: Arnold. f95.

Emergency and urgent work comprise a sizeable proportion of a vascular surgeon’s workload, so the subject addressed by this new book is an important one. Collecting material on this topic together in a single volume has been a helpful venture, as it would otherwise need to be searched out in periodicals and in the larger general textbooks of vascular surgery. The coverage is comprehensive. There is an informative chapter dealing with cold injury, and acute deep vein thrombosis of the upper extremity is very well reviewed. The absence of a chapter on the aneurysmal and thrombotic complications of drug abuse might, however, be considered an omission. Many of the chapters are set out in a structured way and adopt a ‘how I do it’ approach. This inevitably leads to controversial advice in some cases but the sections on the control of perioperative bleeding problems, and urgent and emergency aortic aneurysm are worthwhile

reading for vascular trainees. Vascular trauma, particularly penetrating injury, is given extensive coverage and occupies about 30 per cent of the volume. This book would, therefore, be of interest to trauma as well as vascular surgeons.

G. G. Cooper Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Foresterhill Aberdeen AB9 2ZN UK

Medicolegal Reporting in Surgery B. J. Jones (ed. ). 240 X 160 mm. Pp. 314, Illustrated. 1996. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. f55.

This is not an easy book on which to pass comment. For a start the title is misleading as the book deals only with trauma. Of the 12 chapters, ten are very competent and copiously referenced summaries of the effects and management of non-orthopaedic trauma affecting different parts of the body. There is in addition a sensible chapter on chronic pain and a sound introduction to the legal side of medicolegal work. One is, however, left wondering at whom the book is directed. For experts in the specific areas the summaries might be useful and the references particularly valuable, but the text is surely too technical for what the jacket refers to as ‘legal and insurance personnel’. One is thus left with the uncomfortable feeling that the main beneficiary may be that jack of all trades, the professional medicolegal opinion, a breed we are asked to hope will soon be extinct. In the meantime this book will be godsend for them.

A. E. Young St Thomas’ Hospital London SEl 7EH UK

Cambridge Textbook of Accident and Emergency Medicine D. Skinnel; A . Swain, R. Peyton and C. Robertson (eds). 282 X 222 mm. Pp. 1269. Illustrated. 199% Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. f120.

The timely arrival of a big red book to replace the blue one is a political coincidence. The publication of a major British reference textbook on accident and emergency (A and E) medicine is in line with the academic development of the specialty, covers the subject in greater breadth and depth compared with Rutherford’s texts of the 1980s, and is much more extensively referenced. Its large authorship includes experts in many areas of A and E medicine from home and abroad. Text by A and E specialists, on wounds, spinal injury, electrical injuries and death, is full of interesting practical advice and common sense. Contributions from other specialists provide a variety of style, insight and emphasis. With 63 chapters and 110 authors, the editors can be congratulated for producing a cohesive publication with few errors or contradictions. The quality of some radiographs and photographs, and the absence of colour, detract from clarity but at El20 it is good value. This Cambridge book has much to interest surgical trainees who will find it a useful source of advice and education; it should be on hand for use by all A and E medical and nursing staff on a 24-h basis.

I. J. Swann Glasgow Royal Infirmary 10 Alexandra Parade Glasgow G4 OSF UK

1180 0 1997 Blackwell Science Ltd