Complications of Shoulder Surgery Edited by Louis U. Bigliani. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford 1993

ISBN 0-683-00751 3 282 pages Price £82.00

This book is a welcome addition to the textbooks of shoulder surgery and its arrival is timely with a rapidly expanding new generation of shoulder surgeons. It reflects the experience of some senior surgeons dedicated to the surgery of this complex joint. The bibliography is extensive both from a current and historical perspective. As its title states, it deals with the complications of surgery and offers the authors' solutions to these difficulties but this is often what to do and not how to do it. Those looking for guidance on the locking nail in humeral shaft non-unions will look in vain. The authors feel there is insufficient experience with this at present to offer comment.

The chapters on the complications of operations for shoulder instability could be read with profit by those who perform this type of surgery but are not specialized shoulder surgeons. For the specialist this will be a useful addition to his library and a quick reference source of what has been done before and for these reasons I can recommend it as a 'good read. '

BRIAN REEVES

Intra-Articular Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Angus E. Strover. Butterworth Heinemann, 1993

ISBN 0-7506-138858 268 pages Price £85.00

This is a very lavishly produced book. The text is extremely well presented and the editor is to be congratulated on the inclusion of such beautifully coloured diagrams and photo- graphs.

Each contributor tends to stay within the remit given, explaining in detail their views on management of this particularly difficult lesion. Outstanding amongst these is the chapter by Charles Brown on anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with autogenous patella tendon graft. Senior Registrars in training need turn to no other source to find an extremely clear and erudite description of the theory and practice of the so-called 'gold standard treatment of anterior cruciate ligament injuries'. Dr Brown's other significant contribution is his superb dissertation on the post-injury rehabilitation programme.

The final section of this book written by Mr Strover himself summarizes the perils and pitfalls of ligament reconstruction surgery. Residents in training would find this summary (extending to only some ten pages) very rewarding bedtime reading prior to sitting their examinations.

This is certainly a book which deserves to be read not only

bY trainees but by established consultants interested in the field of ligament reconstruction.

G. K. SEFTON,

CONSULTANT ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON

Atlas of Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery Raymond T. Morrissey, MD. J. B. Lippencott, 1992

ISBN 0-397-50969-3 747 pages Price $185

This is an extremely well illustrated yet concise single volume, which can be used as a companion to Lovell and Winter's Paediatric Orthopaedics, or as a stand alone source of information on paediatric orthopaedic surgery. The chapters are arranged in regions with the contents of each on a consistent anatomical basis. Each has an introduction to the operative procedure, followed by a more detailed description accompanied by numerous clear illustrations, and finally post-operative care.

The drawings, which depict the steps for each operation, are excellent, with such detail that they could almost be used without reference to the text.

Although obviously not dealing with the indications for various procedures, it is an excellent surgical technical reference manual which deserves, and almost certainly will achieve, regular consultation from trainee and consultant alike.

IAN ARCHER

Lovell and Winter's Paediatric Orthopaedics (2 volumes) 3rd edition Edited by Raymond T. Morrissey, J. B. Lippencott Company, 1990

ISBN 0-397-50914-6 1400 pages Price $310

This 2 volume 3rd edition continues to provide the depth and breadth of paediatric orthopaedics with all problems in paediatric orthopaedics receiving a mention. 39 contributors provide an in-depth well organised and understandable coverage of paediatric orthopaedics excluding fractures.

There are two new chapters, Imaging of the Immature Skeleton, and Sports Medicine, and other chapters have been expanded. Each chapter begins with basic science and progresses to diagnosis and methods of treatment. Each has details of decision making and selection of treatment, be it conservative or surgical.

It is to be recommended to both orthopaedic surgeons and paediatricians as one of the standard references in paediatric orthopaedics. Whilst its detail is such that the trainee would not need to own a copy, unless embarking on a specialised career of paediatric orthopaedics, it should have a place in every orthopaedic department library.

IAN ARCHER

Current Orthopaedics (1995) 9, 70 © Pearson Professional Ltd 1995 70