Synopsis
Designed as a quick guide to the basic surgical aspects of common procedures, this volume contains 51 chapters, each by a specialist in the technique presented. In addition to operative technique, the chapters list indications, contraindications, preoperative preparation, special instruments, position, anesthesia, tips, postoperative care issues, what to avoid, and references. Clear b&w drawings accompany each chapter. Stern teaches clinical orthopedics at Northwestern U., in Chicago. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Doody Review Services
Reviewer:Edward Abraham, MD(University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine)
Description:This textbook deals with surgical techniques of some common orthopedic procedures.
Purpose:The purpose is to cover basic surgical steps, which may be overlooked by more comprehensive textbooks. To this end, the objective is met.
Audience:The book is written for practicing orthopedists and orthopedic residents. The editor believes that medical students can be a suitable audience. I beg to differ since these students' educational priorities are different. The editor is fully qualified to edit this work.
Features:This book is organized into nine sections by anatomical location. Pediatrics is covered in one of these sections. Each of the 51 chapters is organized in a similar fashion: indications, contraindications, tips and pearls, what to avoid, postoperative care, and operative technique. Sections have only selective topics. For instance, under the hip and femur section there is total hip arthroplasty, internal fixation of hip fractures, hemiarthroplasty for hip fracture and intramedullary rodding of femoral shaft fractures. All the numerous and well-done black-and-white illustrations are the work of Tony Pazos. Neither photographs of surgery nor radiographs are used with the drawings.
Assessment:This book is a work in progress, since only a few preferred surgical procedures are covered for each anatomical region and herein lies its limitations. However, each chapter is well written by experienced orthopedists. The chapters are easy to read and straightforward. General orthopedists and orthopedic residents are going to find this book a most invaluable preoperative resource for the covered topics. It is difficult to strongly recommend it for individual purchase unless more surgical procedures are covered in each section.