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Clinical problems in obstetric anaesthesia
Current
Obstetrics
& Gynaecology
(I 999) 9. 60
0 1999 Harcourt Brace & Co. Ltd ,
Book Review
.
Clinical problems in obstetric anaestbesia
Ian F. Russell & Gordon Lyons, Chapman & Hall Medical. Price. f 60.00. ISBN: O-412-71600-3 This is a weldome addition to the existing literature on obstetric anaesthesia, particularly since it comes from two such respected clinicians as Russell and Lyons. They are both known for their didactic, no-nonsenseapproach and this is reflected in many of the contributions in this volume. The editors have accumulated a selection of topics which, while eclectic, had this reviewer wondering about some of the exclusions. Where, for example, is that most ubiquitous of clinical dilemmas, the obese patient? And why is the coverage of pain during Caesarean section under regional anaesthesia so limited, when it now represents the commonest medico-legal complaint against the obstetric anaesthetist? As with all multi-author works, the contributions differ considerably in quality. I particularly
recommend the excellent review of haematological disorders, while the chapters on postpartum and coexisting neurological disorders, written by the editors, are well worth perusal. Unfortunately, a few contributors do not reach the same standards. The chapter on peripartum anaesthesiais particularly disjointed and appears outdated. The blanket advice that, ‘Coagulation disorders, maternal sepsis and active CNS diseasepreclude regional anaesthesia’,is far too simplistic and, indeed, is refuted elsewherein this book. Some repetition is inevitable; haemorrhage being covered in its own chapter as well as under ‘antepartum emergencies’, and the management of emergency Caesareansection crops up with unnecessary regularity. All in all, this book is recommended to those specializing in obstetric anaesthesia and would be a useful read for any obstetrician. It is particularly refreshing to see European incursion into a field that has recently been dominated by large North American tomes. D. B O G O D
Obstetrics
& Gynaecology
(I 999) 9. 60
0 1999 Harcourt Brace & Co. Ltd ,
Book Review
.
Clinical problems in obstetric anaestbesia
Ian F. Russell & Gordon Lyons, Chapman & Hall Medical. Price. f 60.00. ISBN: O-412-71600-3 This is a weldome addition to the existing literature on obstetric anaesthesia, particularly since it comes from two such respected clinicians as Russell and Lyons. They are both known for their didactic, no-nonsenseapproach and this is reflected in many of the contributions in this volume. The editors have accumulated a selection of topics which, while eclectic, had this reviewer wondering about some of the exclusions. Where, for example, is that most ubiquitous of clinical dilemmas, the obese patient? And why is the coverage of pain during Caesarean section under regional anaesthesia so limited, when it now represents the commonest medico-legal complaint against the obstetric anaesthetist? As with all multi-author works, the contributions differ considerably in quality. I particularly
recommend the excellent review of haematological disorders, while the chapters on postpartum and coexisting neurological disorders, written by the editors, are well worth perusal. Unfortunately, a few contributors do not reach the same standards. The chapter on peripartum anaesthesiais particularly disjointed and appears outdated. The blanket advice that, ‘Coagulation disorders, maternal sepsis and active CNS diseasepreclude regional anaesthesia’,is far too simplistic and, indeed, is refuted elsewherein this book. Some repetition is inevitable; haemorrhage being covered in its own chapter as well as under ‘antepartum emergencies’, and the management of emergency Caesareansection crops up with unnecessary regularity. All in all, this book is recommended to those specializing in obstetric anaesthesia and would be a useful read for any obstetrician. It is particularly refreshing to see European incursion into a field that has recently been dominated by large North American tomes. D. B O G O D