International anesthesiology clinics: Anesthesia for urological surgery, vol. 31

BOOK REVIEWS

602 imaging comes a little fast to the uninitiated. The novice gets sudden introduction into both M mode and biplane without any explanation. The saving grace of this possible confusion is that correct temporal prioritization of chapters leads one correctly down the discovery path. Some relief is obtained by reading at this stage and, later, the excellent chapter by Rafferty concerning intraoperative monitoring. The chapter on emboli is near perfect and throughout any problem is covered by a great photograph or more than adequate diagrams. The book is valuable for every practitioner using the TEE. It is essential, though not complete, for anesthesiologists. Michael B. Howie, MD Professor and Vice Chairperson Department of Anesthesiology Professor, Pharmacy Director, Cardiovascular Anesthesia Ohio State University Hospitals Columbus, OH

International Anesthesiology Clinics: Anesthesia for Urological Surgery, vol. 31. Edited by Philip IV. Lebowitz. Boston, MA. Little, Brown and Company, 1993,152 pp, $39.00. In the past several years there have been many changes in the field of urology that have been accompanied by challenges for the anesthesiologist. This volume of the International Clinics reviews these changes with additional information on pediatric renal function, pediatric pain management, and urodynamics as affected by spinal and epidural opioids. This well-organized review clarifies many topics of interest to practitioners of cardiothoracic anesthesia.

‘The advent of pain control techniques that use spinal and epidural narcotics has revolutionized postoperative management of thoracic surgical patients. One of the more bothersome aide effects of these techniques includes urinary retention necessitating bladder catheterization. The first article in this issue is an excellent review of the physiology of micturition and urodynamics with a complete and logical review of the effects of opioids, general anesthesia, and other factors that cause urine retention. Treatment options are limited as all practitioners realize, but a review of the current research in this area as well as theoretical considerations for the future narcotics and therapeutic agents are all included. Other excellent chapters include a review of autonomic hyperreflexia, pain management for pediatric urologic surgery, and a synopsis of latex allergy and anaphylaxis. Each of these chapters is well written, concise. contains recent literature references, and would be of interest to all practitioners with patients outside of the specialty of urologic anesthesia. Other chapters dealing with the more specific issues of urologic anesthesia, including transurethral prostate surgery, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, positioning, and regional anesthesia are up to date but contain more than a trivial amount of repetition in this focused book. In summary, this issue of the InternationalAnesthesiology Clinics is well done. It offers anesthesia caregivers significant information of a practical nature that applies to patients outside of the specific realm of urologic anesthesia. The information is clearly presented and, if incorporated into practice, will result in better care for many patients.

Assistant

Professor

Brad Narr, MD of Anesthesiology Mayo Clinic Rochester. MN