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The impacted lower wisdom tooth
405
chronic pain is also presented in a highly selective fashion and perhaps represents British practice of some years ago rather than current thought. Assessment merits a column, drug therapy 2.5 cohtmns, destructive procedures 9 columns and psychiatric aspects 19 lines! There is much that is good in this book, but the variability of quality makes it difficult to recommend in its present form, and without knowing it’s price it is difficult to judge whether it represents better value than established textbooks. J.E. Charlton Consultant Anaesthetist, Pain R&f Clinic, The Royal Victoria infirmary, Newcastle upon T)/ne (U.K.) Structure and Function of ~e~~~~e~~~~ and Aminergic Neurons, edited by Y. Sano, Y. Ibata and E.A. Zimmerman, Japan Scientific Societies Press, Tokyo and VNU Science Press, Utrecht, 1983, 351 pp., DM155.00. This volume comprises chapters written by a biased selection of authors who attended a symposium in 1981 on ‘Structure and Function of Peptidergic and Aminergic Neurons.’ Although its title suggests that it may be of general interest, it mainly addresses those interested in the hypothalamus. FLowever, even this audience has seen much of this work published elsewhere. The book contains chapters concerned chiefly with the localization of various peptides and amines in the hypothalamus with functional aspects considered in most cases only briefly. The quality of the papers is extremely variable; some are carefully written and iliustrated and others are of low standard with appalfing micrographs. It was published long after the meeting and is already out of date. John C. Parnavelas ~epartmenr of A nat~my, I/‘niversity Co&ege London, London WClE 6BT(U.K.] The Impacted Lower Wisdom Tooth, by A.J. MacGregor, Oxford University Press, London, 1985, 206 pp., E18.00. ft is now 20 years since the last book on the impacted wisdom tooth was produced by Killey and Kay. It was aimed at general practitioners and is still widely read by students. Since that time there has been a marked increase in clinical research: as far as the impacted wisdom tooth is concerned this ranges from various drug trials to the use of the third molar socket as an experimental model for wound healing. This new book, written by an academic and surgeon, aims to demonstrate the wealth of knowledge that can be brought to bear on third molar surgery, and it tries to show where knowledge is deficient and to encourage clinical research. The
406
author provokes thought and stimulates discussion rather than merely providing a basic practical guide to third molar surgery. The 10 chapters are based on lectures given by the author and deal with aetiology, pericoronitis radiology, surgical techniques, healing, pain, swelling and trismus. bacteriology, the methodology of clinical investigation, clinical measurement and cost benefit analysis. They can all be read as self-contained units and each is supported by a comprehensive literature review. Of particular interest to those wishing to start research on the subject should be those chapters on the methodology of clinical investigation and clinical measurement. It is valuable to have a discussion, albeit basic, on avoiding bias, on blind trials, placebos, stratification, randomisation and ethics in a clinical text for oral surgeons. The book provides a good basis for further reading on these subjects. Methods of measuring pain and swelling are also covered although it would have been of interest to have greater emphasis on the interaction of pain and personality. The use of steroids in reducing postoperative swelling has recently become more widespread than the author suggests and although a trial is proposed I think there could have been greater discussion of work already done. The book is, however, a comprehensive update and review of surgery of the lower third molar and can be recommended especially to postgraduates and trainee oral surgeons. Final year undergraduate dental students should also find it stimulating supplementary reading. I am sure it will be widely read. A.W. Evans The Dental School. University College London, Mortimer Market, London WCIE 6JD (U.K.)
chronic pain is also presented in a highly selective fashion and perhaps represents British practice of some years ago rather than current thought. Assessment merits a column, drug therapy 2.5 cohtmns, destructive procedures 9 columns and psychiatric aspects 19 lines! There is much that is good in this book, but the variability of quality makes it difficult to recommend in its present form, and without knowing it’s price it is difficult to judge whether it represents better value than established textbooks. J.E. Charlton Consultant Anaesthetist, Pain R&f Clinic, The Royal Victoria infirmary, Newcastle upon T)/ne (U.K.) Structure and Function of ~e~~~~e~~~~ and Aminergic Neurons, edited by Y. Sano, Y. Ibata and E.A. Zimmerman, Japan Scientific Societies Press, Tokyo and VNU Science Press, Utrecht, 1983, 351 pp., DM155.00. This volume comprises chapters written by a biased selection of authors who attended a symposium in 1981 on ‘Structure and Function of Peptidergic and Aminergic Neurons.’ Although its title suggests that it may be of general interest, it mainly addresses those interested in the hypothalamus. FLowever, even this audience has seen much of this work published elsewhere. The book contains chapters concerned chiefly with the localization of various peptides and amines in the hypothalamus with functional aspects considered in most cases only briefly. The quality of the papers is extremely variable; some are carefully written and iliustrated and others are of low standard with appalfing micrographs. It was published long after the meeting and is already out of date. John C. Parnavelas ~epartmenr of A nat~my, I/‘niversity Co&ege London, London WClE 6BT(U.K.] The Impacted Lower Wisdom Tooth, by A.J. MacGregor, Oxford University Press, London, 1985, 206 pp., E18.00. ft is now 20 years since the last book on the impacted wisdom tooth was produced by Killey and Kay. It was aimed at general practitioners and is still widely read by students. Since that time there has been a marked increase in clinical research: as far as the impacted wisdom tooth is concerned this ranges from various drug trials to the use of the third molar socket as an experimental model for wound healing. This new book, written by an academic and surgeon, aims to demonstrate the wealth of knowledge that can be brought to bear on third molar surgery, and it tries to show where knowledge is deficient and to encourage clinical research. The
406
author provokes thought and stimulates discussion rather than merely providing a basic practical guide to third molar surgery. The 10 chapters are based on lectures given by the author and deal with aetiology, pericoronitis radiology, surgical techniques, healing, pain, swelling and trismus. bacteriology, the methodology of clinical investigation, clinical measurement and cost benefit analysis. They can all be read as self-contained units and each is supported by a comprehensive literature review. Of particular interest to those wishing to start research on the subject should be those chapters on the methodology of clinical investigation and clinical measurement. It is valuable to have a discussion, albeit basic, on avoiding bias, on blind trials, placebos, stratification, randomisation and ethics in a clinical text for oral surgeons. The book provides a good basis for further reading on these subjects. Methods of measuring pain and swelling are also covered although it would have been of interest to have greater emphasis on the interaction of pain and personality. The use of steroids in reducing postoperative swelling has recently become more widespread than the author suggests and although a trial is proposed I think there could have been greater discussion of work already done. The book is, however, a comprehensive update and review of surgery of the lower third molar and can be recommended especially to postgraduates and trainee oral surgeons. Final year undergraduate dental students should also find it stimulating supplementary reading. I am sure it will be widely read. A.W. Evans The Dental School. University College London, Mortimer Market, London WCIE 6JD (U.K.)