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Vascular surgery, a comprehensive review
Book Reviews
The section on the use of percutaneous transluminal dilation is not critical due to the way the results are reported. The superficiality of the reporting is reflected by the comparison of the authors’ results with those of a small group of patients which do not reflect the surgical results achieved at such clinics as the University of Michigan, the University of California at San Francisco, and Vanderbilt University. Certainly, transluminal dilation is seeking its place in the therapeutic armamentarium for the treatment of renovascular hypertension but it suffers from a wave of enthusiasm and inaccurate comparison with surgical therapy. This book will be helpful to all those actively treating patients with renovascular hypertension and will serve as a ready source of information, particularly in the area of physiology and medical therapy of the hypertensive patient. William J. Fry, MD
Surgery of the Knee. Edited by John N. Insall. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1984. 828 pages. $95.00. John Insall has devoted a major portion of his time to critical evaluation of the knee. This book is a comprehensive collection of papers about all facets of knee surgery, from ligamentous injury to fractures. The work especially shines in the chapters covering work done at the Hospital for Special Surgery, where a rational biomechanical approach has been applied, to chapters that deal with solving knotty clinical problems, for example, disorders of the patella-femoral joint. The bibliography is current and the figures well drawn. Jack McGinty’s color arthroscopy centerpiece is elegant. This book, from its descriptions of basic examinations to exotic operative techniques, is “must” reading for the orthopedic generalist who must solve problems of this complex articulation. David Selgison, MD
the techniques of operative resection. Although it would be an excellent addition to the surgeon’s library, it does not cover all aspects of the sarcoma patient’s care. I recommend it especially to surgeons who encounter softtissue sarcomas infrequently. Louis S. Heuser, MD
So You Want to be a Surgeon. 2nd Edition. By D. M. Heimbach and Kaj Johansen. Seattle: Department of Surgery, University of Washington Medical School, 1982. 171 pages. $7.00. This volume is designed as a compendium of information for medical students who have chosen surgical careers or who are in the process of making such a decision. The book consists of three sections. The first deals with the authors’ notions of character and personality traits that are particularly valuable to the surgeon. Although philosophy may vary from surgeon to surgeon, presented are the generally accepted characteristics of the “surgical personality.” Although this section is written with a somewhat egocentric tone, it is pleasant and informative. Section II offers advice concerning selection of a residency program and a description of the application process. This is probably the most informative section of the book. Section III offers ways to evaluate various surgical programs in vignettes supplied by the program directors. The particularly useful portions of this section include an assessment of each program with regard to the composition of the residents in the program and a discussion of each program’s strength. Although the prospective surgical resident might desire a critique of each program, this is not the purpose of the volume and, therefore, criticisms are not included. Overall, the information contained in this volume is far from complete, but it represents a departure point from which the student who is a prospective surgical resident can begin to organize his thinking. Lewis M. Flint, MD
Comprehensive Manuals of Surgical Specialties: Manual of Soft-Tissue Surgery. Walter Lawrence, Jr., James P. Neifeld, and Jose J. Terz. Series editor, Richard H. Egdahl, New York: Springer-Verlag, 1983.214 pages.
Vascular Surgery, A Comprehensive Review. By Wesley S. Moore. New York: Grune and Stratton, 1983. 994 pages. $89.00.
Soft-tissue tumors are relatively rare cancers and few surgeons accumulate extensive experience with these lesions. This volume contains 13 chapters, covering the fundamental principles of treatment of and specific operations for soft tissue tumors, and is written by authors with international reputations for their expertise with soft-tissue tumors. Most of the manual describes resection of soft tissue tumors in the extremities, the chest, and abdominal wall, the retroperitoneum, and the head and neck area. The anatomic illustrations are in color and are nicely rendered. They are complemented by operative photographs. Special problems that face sarcoma patients are addressed, including reconstruction with musculocutaneous flaps and rehabilitation. The uses of adjuvant therapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, and the management of recurrent metastatic sarcomas are discussed, as are childhood sarcomas. The manual gives a broad overview of the general principles and considerations in the management of soft-tissue sarcomas, but also contains in-depth discussions of
This book provides an excellent review of vascular surgery with special emphasis on related medical and basic science disciplines. Wesley S. Moore is an established vascular surgeon with an active interest in vascular training programs. The text was originally designed to prepare surgeons for the examination leading to a certificate in general vascular surgery. The book is, however, of significant value to any surgical resident or practitioner of general surgery with an interest in vascular surgery. An outstanding feature is the substantial number of pertinent topics concisely discussed by experts in the field of vascular surgery. The book does not cover specific topics in depth, however, the bibliography is extensive and provides an excellent reference source for readers desiring to pursue areas of special interest in greater detail. The chapters on hemodynamics for the vascular surgeon, the vascular laboratory, and bleeding and clotting problems in surgical patients offer excellent discussions of relevant topics often neglected in conventional vascular texts. The book’s focus is the development of a
Volume 151, March 1996
433
Book Reviews
rational approach to controversial areas in vascular surgery, as illustrated by the excellent chapter on vascular grafts. It is not intended to be an atlas of vascular surgery, and details of operative exposures and techniques vary widely from chapter to chapter. I highly recommend this book for all physicians who desire a comprehensive, succinct review of the fundamental principles of vascular disease and vascular surgery. Susan E. Briggs, MD
Endocrine Surgery Update. Edited by Norman W. Thompson and Aaron E. Vinik, New York: Grune and Stratton, 1983. 426 pages. $59.00.
The development of the study of endocrinology at the University of Michigan has always been an interesting case study for those who might wonder about the origins of scientific excellence. L. H. (Harry) Newburgh, trained in the heady environment of the Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts General Hospital, co-existed with Joseph C. Aub, Fuller Albright, Walter Bauer, and others before migrating west of Worcester. An obscure figure to many, allegedly intolerant on occasion of those whose ideas varied from his, Newburgh’s persistently inquisitive excellence in two major facets of endocrinology, the physiology of salt and water balance and clinical carbohydrate metabolism, have had far-reaching effects. That primary hyperaldosteronism was discovered in 1955 by one brilliant pupil of Newburgh’s and that another equally exceptional scientist is persistently at the edge of understanding of amino acid influences on carbohydrate utilization are not just logical outgrowths of Newburgh’s traditions, but exemplify the underplayed truism that one sign of a great teacher is that his pupils’ accomplishments exceed his own. Edited and organized under the leadership of Norman Thompson and Aaron Vinik, well-known for their efforts
434
surgical and medical endocrinology, EnUpdate, sponsored by the University of Michigan faculty and certain invited persons, although suffering from defects inherent in so many published proceedings of postgraduate courses, nevertheless contains information of interest for contemporary endocrinologists. Some of the most notable workers at Michigan are missing from this volume, but a number of others are well represented. To be updated by William Beierwaltes on MIBG scanning of human pheochromocytoma with analysis of its potential for internally delivered radiation to unresectable disease, to have Stanley Friesen define new criteria for operative treatment of the Zollinger-Ellinson syndrome, and to be made aware of the diverse hormonal complexity of pancreaticoenterohepatic tumors by Richard Welbourn, Aaron Vinik, and Stanley Friesen are not insignificant insights to gain. Roger Grekin’s analysis of primary hyperaldosteronism and Eduardo Schteingart’s update on the diagnosis of Cushing’s disease should be required reading for anyone caring for patients with those diseases. Fiddian-Green’s masterful handling of the significance of hypergastrinemia reminds us again why it is important for academic surgeons to be scientifically based. Norman Thompson’s continuing concern with the subtleties of technique will be appreciated by surgeons beginning to find their way in the operative treatment of thyroid and parathyroid problems. A few errors in the text are present. For example, on page 203 we are asked to refer to Figure 19-2 for an example of hypersecretion of all measured hormones from multiple tumors in the pancreas. In fact, Figure 19-2 deals with clinical details of 10 hyperinsulemic patients. Those wishing to become more informed about contemporary endocrinology and surgery will find it agreeable to read this volume. Much of the information is available elsewhere but it is helpful to have it in one place. in contemporary
docrine Surgery
Timothy S. Harrison, MD
The American Journal of Surgery
The section on the use of percutaneous transluminal dilation is not critical due to the way the results are reported. The superficiality of the reporting is reflected by the comparison of the authors’ results with those of a small group of patients which do not reflect the surgical results achieved at such clinics as the University of Michigan, the University of California at San Francisco, and Vanderbilt University. Certainly, transluminal dilation is seeking its place in the therapeutic armamentarium for the treatment of renovascular hypertension but it suffers from a wave of enthusiasm and inaccurate comparison with surgical therapy. This book will be helpful to all those actively treating patients with renovascular hypertension and will serve as a ready source of information, particularly in the area of physiology and medical therapy of the hypertensive patient. William J. Fry, MD
Surgery of the Knee. Edited by John N. Insall. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1984. 828 pages. $95.00. John Insall has devoted a major portion of his time to critical evaluation of the knee. This book is a comprehensive collection of papers about all facets of knee surgery, from ligamentous injury to fractures. The work especially shines in the chapters covering work done at the Hospital for Special Surgery, where a rational biomechanical approach has been applied, to chapters that deal with solving knotty clinical problems, for example, disorders of the patella-femoral joint. The bibliography is current and the figures well drawn. Jack McGinty’s color arthroscopy centerpiece is elegant. This book, from its descriptions of basic examinations to exotic operative techniques, is “must” reading for the orthopedic generalist who must solve problems of this complex articulation. David Selgison, MD
the techniques of operative resection. Although it would be an excellent addition to the surgeon’s library, it does not cover all aspects of the sarcoma patient’s care. I recommend it especially to surgeons who encounter softtissue sarcomas infrequently. Louis S. Heuser, MD
So You Want to be a Surgeon. 2nd Edition. By D. M. Heimbach and Kaj Johansen. Seattle: Department of Surgery, University of Washington Medical School, 1982. 171 pages. $7.00. This volume is designed as a compendium of information for medical students who have chosen surgical careers or who are in the process of making such a decision. The book consists of three sections. The first deals with the authors’ notions of character and personality traits that are particularly valuable to the surgeon. Although philosophy may vary from surgeon to surgeon, presented are the generally accepted characteristics of the “surgical personality.” Although this section is written with a somewhat egocentric tone, it is pleasant and informative. Section II offers advice concerning selection of a residency program and a description of the application process. This is probably the most informative section of the book. Section III offers ways to evaluate various surgical programs in vignettes supplied by the program directors. The particularly useful portions of this section include an assessment of each program with regard to the composition of the residents in the program and a discussion of each program’s strength. Although the prospective surgical resident might desire a critique of each program, this is not the purpose of the volume and, therefore, criticisms are not included. Overall, the information contained in this volume is far from complete, but it represents a departure point from which the student who is a prospective surgical resident can begin to organize his thinking. Lewis M. Flint, MD
Comprehensive Manuals of Surgical Specialties: Manual of Soft-Tissue Surgery. Walter Lawrence, Jr., James P. Neifeld, and Jose J. Terz. Series editor, Richard H. Egdahl, New York: Springer-Verlag, 1983.214 pages.
Vascular Surgery, A Comprehensive Review. By Wesley S. Moore. New York: Grune and Stratton, 1983. 994 pages. $89.00.
Soft-tissue tumors are relatively rare cancers and few surgeons accumulate extensive experience with these lesions. This volume contains 13 chapters, covering the fundamental principles of treatment of and specific operations for soft tissue tumors, and is written by authors with international reputations for their expertise with soft-tissue tumors. Most of the manual describes resection of soft tissue tumors in the extremities, the chest, and abdominal wall, the retroperitoneum, and the head and neck area. The anatomic illustrations are in color and are nicely rendered. They are complemented by operative photographs. Special problems that face sarcoma patients are addressed, including reconstruction with musculocutaneous flaps and rehabilitation. The uses of adjuvant therapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, and the management of recurrent metastatic sarcomas are discussed, as are childhood sarcomas. The manual gives a broad overview of the general principles and considerations in the management of soft-tissue sarcomas, but also contains in-depth discussions of
This book provides an excellent review of vascular surgery with special emphasis on related medical and basic science disciplines. Wesley S. Moore is an established vascular surgeon with an active interest in vascular training programs. The text was originally designed to prepare surgeons for the examination leading to a certificate in general vascular surgery. The book is, however, of significant value to any surgical resident or practitioner of general surgery with an interest in vascular surgery. An outstanding feature is the substantial number of pertinent topics concisely discussed by experts in the field of vascular surgery. The book does not cover specific topics in depth, however, the bibliography is extensive and provides an excellent reference source for readers desiring to pursue areas of special interest in greater detail. The chapters on hemodynamics for the vascular surgeon, the vascular laboratory, and bleeding and clotting problems in surgical patients offer excellent discussions of relevant topics often neglected in conventional vascular texts. The book’s focus is the development of a
Volume 151, March 1996
433
Book Reviews
rational approach to controversial areas in vascular surgery, as illustrated by the excellent chapter on vascular grafts. It is not intended to be an atlas of vascular surgery, and details of operative exposures and techniques vary widely from chapter to chapter. I highly recommend this book for all physicians who desire a comprehensive, succinct review of the fundamental principles of vascular disease and vascular surgery. Susan E. Briggs, MD
Endocrine Surgery Update. Edited by Norman W. Thompson and Aaron E. Vinik, New York: Grune and Stratton, 1983. 426 pages. $59.00.
The development of the study of endocrinology at the University of Michigan has always been an interesting case study for those who might wonder about the origins of scientific excellence. L. H. (Harry) Newburgh, trained in the heady environment of the Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts General Hospital, co-existed with Joseph C. Aub, Fuller Albright, Walter Bauer, and others before migrating west of Worcester. An obscure figure to many, allegedly intolerant on occasion of those whose ideas varied from his, Newburgh’s persistently inquisitive excellence in two major facets of endocrinology, the physiology of salt and water balance and clinical carbohydrate metabolism, have had far-reaching effects. That primary hyperaldosteronism was discovered in 1955 by one brilliant pupil of Newburgh’s and that another equally exceptional scientist is persistently at the edge of understanding of amino acid influences on carbohydrate utilization are not just logical outgrowths of Newburgh’s traditions, but exemplify the underplayed truism that one sign of a great teacher is that his pupils’ accomplishments exceed his own. Edited and organized under the leadership of Norman Thompson and Aaron Vinik, well-known for their efforts
434
surgical and medical endocrinology, EnUpdate, sponsored by the University of Michigan faculty and certain invited persons, although suffering from defects inherent in so many published proceedings of postgraduate courses, nevertheless contains information of interest for contemporary endocrinologists. Some of the most notable workers at Michigan are missing from this volume, but a number of others are well represented. To be updated by William Beierwaltes on MIBG scanning of human pheochromocytoma with analysis of its potential for internally delivered radiation to unresectable disease, to have Stanley Friesen define new criteria for operative treatment of the Zollinger-Ellinson syndrome, and to be made aware of the diverse hormonal complexity of pancreaticoenterohepatic tumors by Richard Welbourn, Aaron Vinik, and Stanley Friesen are not insignificant insights to gain. Roger Grekin’s analysis of primary hyperaldosteronism and Eduardo Schteingart’s update on the diagnosis of Cushing’s disease should be required reading for anyone caring for patients with those diseases. Fiddian-Green’s masterful handling of the significance of hypergastrinemia reminds us again why it is important for academic surgeons to be scientifically based. Norman Thompson’s continuing concern with the subtleties of technique will be appreciated by surgeons beginning to find their way in the operative treatment of thyroid and parathyroid problems. A few errors in the text are present. For example, on page 203 we are asked to refer to Figure 19-2 for an example of hypersecretion of all measured hormones from multiple tumors in the pancreas. In fact, Figure 19-2 deals with clinical details of 10 hyperinsulemic patients. Those wishing to become more informed about contemporary endocrinology and surgery will find it agreeable to read this volume. Much of the information is available elsewhere but it is helpful to have it in one place. in contemporary
docrine Surgery
Timothy S. Harrison, MD
The American Journal of Surgery