Thoracic Anaesthesia : Principles and Practice

From The Critics

Reviewer: Andranik Ovassapian, M.D.(University of Chicago)
Description: This textbook consists of 19 chapters written by 30 contributors. Eight of the contributors are colleagues of the editors from same institution.
Purpose: This is intended to be a source of information about thoracic anesthesia for all levels of anesthesiologists and for those in training. It is not intended to be a reference.
Audience: Anesthesiologists providing thoracic anesthesia are the main group to benefit from this book. Anesthesiologists who occasionally provide thoracic anesthesia or those in training may benefit less. For the latter two groups, a more comprehensive textbook or a simple book with emphasis on the basics of thoracic anesthesia with rich illustrations will be more beneficial.
Features: Most features of thoracic anesthesia are covered; however, some chapters are too short and inadequate. Preoperative evaluation, patient preparation, and intraoperative monitoring of patients subjected to thoracic surgery deserve more comprehensive coverage than is provided in this book. The role of flexible bronchoscope (FB) also deserves more coverage. The use of FB for both placement and positioning of the endobronchial tubes and blockers is the standard of care. The role of FB is briefly mentioned for checking the position of the tube after blind placement.
Assessment: This book is easy-to-read and contains useful information about thoracic anesthesia. However, the chapters are inconsistent in depth of coverage as well as inclusion of references. A number of drawings are presented in an abstract form with inaccurate anatomic presentation, which can be confusing for inexperienced thoracic anesthesiologists. Schematic demonstrations of indications and contraindications of one-lung anesthesia by a cone shape drawing is an incorrect presentation of the subject.

Andranik Ovassapian

This textbook consists of 19 chapters written by 30 contributors. Eight of the contributors are colleagues of the editors from same institution. This is intended to be a source of information about thoracic anesthesia for all levels of anesthesiologists and for those in training. It is not intended to be a reference. Anesthesiologists providing thoracic anesthesia are the main group to benefit from this book. Anesthesiologists who occasionally provide thoracic anesthesia or those in training may benefit less. For the latter two groups, a more comprehensive textbook or a simple book with emphasis on the basics of thoracic anesthesia with rich illustrations will be more beneficial. Most features of thoracic anesthesia are covered; however, some chapters are too short and inadequate. Preoperative evaluation, patient preparation, and intraoperative monitoring of patients subjected to thoracic surgery deserve more comprehensive coverage than is provided in this book. The role of flexible bronchoscope (FB) also deserves more coverage. The use of FB for both placement and positioning of the endobronchial tubes and blockers is the standard of care. The role of FB is briefly mentioned for checking the position of the tube after blind placement. This book is easy-to-read and contains useful information about thoracic anesthesia. However, the chapters are inconsistent in depth of coverage as well as inclusion of references. A number of drawings are presented in an abstract form with inaccurate anatomic presentation, which can be confusing for inexperienced thoracic anesthesiologists. Schematic demonstrations of indications and contraindications of one-lung anesthesia by a cone shape drawing is anincorrect presentation of the subject.

Booknews

This resource for anesthesiologists involved in the care of thoracic surgical patients, as well as for postgraduate candidates preparing for their exams, contains 19 contributions written by anesthesiologists from hospitals in the UK, Australia, France, Northern Ireland, and the US. Introductory chapters cover the evolution of equipment and techniques, pulmonary physiology, and anatomy, followed by detailed treatment of surgical procedures. Each surgical procedure chapter covers pre-operative assessment and investigations, anesthetic considerations and management, the surgical procedure, post-operative care, and complications. Remaining chapters address common peri-operative problems, pain control, specialized modes of respiratory support, and controversies in thoracic anesthesia. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

2 Stars from Doody