Cardiothoracic Surgery

G. Robert Mason

This is the first edition of an abbreviated textbook of thoracic surgery. The book is intended as a ""guideline to understand the rationale of what we do in the operating and intensive care unit,"" a worthy objective. The book does very well in meeting the objectives. This book is intended for ""residents at any stage of their experience."" In my view, the information on a broad variety of topics is concise and accurate and will be useful for a quick reference by a broader group of fully trained physicians. The author has produced a credible text. It is adequately illustrated with line drawings, for the most part. Not all of these reproduce well. Similarly, photographs and imaging studies are variably reproduced. The references are frequently to older, and perhaps more classic, publications. A selection of more recent reviews would give the interested a better reference file. There is a remarkable amount of material in a concise format in this ""manual."" It should be a useful reference for residents in particular, but also for practicing surgeons. Bookstores and libraries should carry this book.

Robert Strange

This pocket-sized, spiral ring manual is a rapid review of cardiothoracic surgery for the surgical resident. The purpose is to promote a better understanding of the rationale influencing the daily activity of the cardiothoracic surgeon in the operating room and in the intensive care unit. The target audience is the surgical resident at all levels of experience from intern to fellow. While this manual should serve as an excellent reference for the junior resident, realistically the cardiothoracic fellow should be seeking a more comprehensive source for study. Regardless, this manual with its high-density volume of practical information would be useful in the coat pocket of even the brightest senior cardiothoracic fellow. The topics of anatomy, physiology, pathology, as well as the medical and surgical management of the adult cardiothoracic patient, are succinctly reviewed. Pediatric thoracic topics such as tracheoesophageal fistula are covered, but a review of congenital heart surgery is lacking. The writing style is authoritative, consistently fluid, and readable. Exceptional concise descriptions of surgical technique permeate the manual providing the greatest aid to both the novice and experienced surgical resident. An adequate number of illustrations are found and all are high in pedagogic value as well as print quality. A sufficient number of current and pertinent references conclude each chapter. Unfortunately, only a few treatment algorithms can be found and are alarmingly absent in the intensive care chapter where their use would seem natural. While these types of manuals are finding increasingly large company on the shelves of medical bookstores, this manual stands as aunique entry as the editor and contributors provide vivid descriptions of cardiothoracic surgical techniques. Successful completion of the manual ensures increased comprehension of cardiothoracic surgery by the junior resident. The portability provides a reliable, quick review at the fingertips of the cardiothoracic surgical fellow. Still, the paucity of treatment algorithms limits the overall usefulness of this book in the perioperative setting.

Booknews

New edition of a guideline to understanding the pathophysiologic rationale of what is done in the operating room and intensive care unit in the management of cardiothoracic problems. Twenty-five chapters emphasize physiology, anatomy, pathology, medical management, and surgical technique. Written primarily by Baumgartner (UCLA School of Medicine, St. John's Hospital, and Health Care Center, Santa Monica), with contributions by leading physicians and professors in the field. Spiral bound. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

A surgery manual for residents at any stage of their experience, including cardiothoracic fellowship, focusing on the pathophysiologic rationale of surgical and intensive care procedures and emphasizing physiology, anatomy, pathology, medical management, and surgical technique. Includes chapters on areas such as coronary artery and valvular heart disease, lung cancer, the esophagus, mediastinal masses, thoracic trauma, and thoracoscopy. Contains b&w photos and diagrams. Spiral wire binding. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

From The Critics

Reviewer: Robert Strange, MD(Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine)
Description: This pocket-sized, spiral ring manual is a rapid review of cardiothoracic surgery for the surgical resident.
Purpose: The purpose is to promote a better understanding of the rationale influencing the daily activity of the cardiothoracic surgeon in the operating room and in the intensive care unit.
Audience: The target audience is the surgical resident at all levels of experience from intern to fellow. While this manual should serve as an excellent reference for the junior resident, realistically the cardiothoracic fellow should be seeking a more comprehensive source for study. Regardless, this manual with its high-density volume of practical information would be useful in the coat pocket of even the brightest senior cardiothoracic fellow.
Features: The topics of anatomy, physiology, pathology, as well as the medical and surgical management of the adult cardiothoracic patient, are succinctly reviewed. Pediatric thoracic topics such as tracheoesophageal fistula are covered, but a review of congenital heart surgery is lacking. The writing style is authoritative, consistently fluid, and readable. Exceptional concise descriptions of surgical technique permeate the manual providing the greatest aid to both the novice and experienced surgical resident. An adequate number of illustrations are found and all are high in pedagogic value as well as print quality. A sufficient number of current and pertinent references conclude each chapter. Unfortunately, only a few treatment algorithms can be found and are alarmingly absent in the intensive care chapter where their use would seem natural.
Assessment: While these types of manuals are finding increasingly large company on the shelves of medical bookstores, this manual stands as a unique entry as the editor and contributors provide vivid descriptions of cardiothoracic surgical techniques. Successful completion of the manual ensures increased comprehension of cardiothoracic surgery by the junior resident. The portability provides a reliable, quick review at the fingertips of the cardiothoracic surgical fellow. Still, the paucity of treatment algorithms limits the overall usefulness of this book in the perioperative setting.

3 Stars from Doody