Clinical Decision Making in Colorectal Surgery

From The Critics

Reviewer: Wayne L. De Vos, MD, PhD(Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine)
Description: The editors have brought together 97 national and international experts in colon and rectal surgery (39 of whom are chief, director, or chairperson in their respective departments) to compose algorithms detailing problem-focused approaches to the management of problems and symptoms encountered in colorectal surgery. Each algorithm is accompanied by elaboration where appropriate and a short bibliography.
Purpose: Unlike standard texts, this book is unfettered by exhaustive details and descriptions, but rather presents a series of lean, streamlined algorithms that are rapidly and easily accessed, both in terms of mechanically finding the relevant topic as well as understanding the approach described. Thus, although it certainly does not replace other more exhaustive texts, it successfully fills a very useful niche on the reference shelf of any practicing surgeon or resident.
Audience: The book will be a useful reference text for surgical residents, colorectal fellows (especially before Board exams), and for gastroenterologists as a rapid guide to the surgical approach to bowel disease. Colorectal surgeons may also find it useful for rarely encountered conditions or to compare their methodology with that of other experts in the field.
Features: The book is divided into eight sections: general (evaluation and assessment techniques), anorectal symptoms (such as melena and anal mass), systemic symptoms (such as abdominal pain and occult rectal bleeding), anorectal pathology, colorectal pathology, small bowel conditions, stomas, and complications. The algorithms, although at times quite complex, are readily followed and well-referenced.
Assessment: Although the algorithms are generally perpendicular to the axis of the book and often require turning to other pages for the accompanying text, this is a small inconvenience. As a companion to the larger general colon and rectal texts, this book has no precedent and will be an excellent addition to the reference library of residents, fellows, gastroenterologists, and surgeons.

Wayne L. De Vos

The editors have brought together 97 national and international experts in colon and rectal surgery (39 of whom are chief, director, or chairperson in their respective departments) to compose algorithms detailing problem-focused approaches to the management of problems and symptoms encountered in colorectal surgery. Each algorithm is accompanied by elaboration where appropriate and a short bibliography. Unlike standard texts, this book is unfettered by exhaustive details and descriptions, but rather presents a series of lean, streamlined algorithms that are rapidly and easily accessed, both in terms of mechanically finding the relevant topic as well as understanding the approach described. Thus, although it certainly does not replace other more exhaustive texts, it successfully fills a very useful niche on the reference shelf of any practicing surgeon or resident. The book will be a useful reference text for surgical residents, colorectal fellows (especially before Board exams), and for gastroenterologists as a rapid guide to the surgical approach to bowel disease. Colorectal surgeons may also find it useful for rarely encountered conditions or to compare their methodology with that of other experts in the field. The book is divided into eight sections: general (evaluation and assessment techniques), anorectal symptoms (such as melena and anal mass), systemic symptoms (such as abdominal pain and occult rectal bleeding), anorectal pathology, colorectal pathology, small bowel conditions, stomas, and complications. The algorithms, although at times quite complex, are readily followed and well-referenced. Although the algorithms are generally perpendicular to the axis of the book andoften require turning to other pages for the accompanying text, this is a small inconvenience. As a companion to the larger general colon and rectal texts, this book has no precedent and will be an excellent addition to the reference library of residents, fellows, gastroenterologists, and surgeons.

Booknews

A textbook designed as a problem focused approach to colorectal surgery, presenting each problem as a separate algorithm. There are 97 algorithm scenarios presented which are common to the colon and rectal surgeon. In each case, the algorithm includes a letter coded guide with each letter referenced by textual explanatory material and supported by a list of suggested readings. The 97 chapters are arranged within eight sections: general; symptoms, anorectal; symptoms, systemic; anorectal pathology; colonic pathology; small bowel conditions; stomas; and complications. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

4 Stars! from Doody