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Surgery of the Foot
678
BOOK REVIEWS
Mayo Clin Proc, August 1986, Vol 61
dures. The many major developments that have occurred in the field of orthopedic surgery in recent years necessitated the addition of these new chapters. The 72 contributors are generally experienced and well-known orthopedic surgeons. Because of the multiple authorship, the style and content of the book vary considerably, and some of the material is repetitious. This variability and repetition, however, are not distracting, and the text is generally well edited. In most chapters in this edition, the authors report the frequency of various complications. The book is useful in that it presents the numerous important complications that may accompany the orthopedic management of a patient, even by experienced surgeons. It is more than simply a compilation of these various complications, however; in fact, it focuses on errors in diagnosis and management that may contribute to the frequency of complications. Suggestions about how these errors can be avoided or minimized are thoroughly discussed. The text is easy to read, and the illustrations satisfactorily enhance the narrative. Because of the size of the text, the reader is unlikely to try to digest the entire content. Rather, these volumes will probably be most useful to the orthopedist who is reviewing a particular procedure or a specific complication. The reader may find valuable information on how to avoid complications and also how to manage those complications that do occur. This text should be of interest to everyone who participates in the management of patients with orthopedic problems. Douglas J. Pritchard, M.D. Department of Orthopedics
Surgery of the Foot, by Kent K. Wu, 537 pp, with illus, $65, Philadelphia, Lea & Febiger, 1986 Because one of every six patients examined by an orthopedic surgeon has a problem related to the foot region, a textbook on surgical procedures of the foot may assume importance on the basis of numbers alone. In this text, an attempt is made to cover forefoot abnormalities, tarsal afflictions, amputations, fractures, neoplastic lesions, and various other broad topics such as circulatory
disturbances, metabolic diseases, and congenital abnormalities. All these topics are addressed in only nine chapters and 537 pages. The result is a superficial and incomplete consideration of foot problems. Some of the opinions expressed are indefensible and, in fact, leave the reader with many unanswered questions as well as unquestioned answers. The technical aspects of the book are also disappointing. For example, no color illustrations are included, the location of the illustrations may be two or three pages away from the associated text, the references are not cited in the text material, the diagrams are line drawings that lack necessary detail, and many lists are used as a method of presentation. Two purposes of a review are to attempt to place a book in perspective and to provide some insight into what to expect if it is pursued in detail. This book is not worth any investment of time or money. Kenneth A. Johnson, M.D. Department of Orthopedics Surgical D i s e a s e s of the Pleura and Chest Wall, by R. Maurice Hood, 269 pp, with illus, $49.95, Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders Company, 1986 Some potential readers may think that the subject of this book is mundane, and others may consider it of historical interest only. In my opinion, this monograph is exciting, sorely needed, and timely—a modern classic that presents in one notso-thin volume a compendium of current knowledge about diseases of the pleura and chest wall and their management. The text is succinct and clearly written; the remarkable economy of words makes reading an absolute pleasure. Conflicting opinions are expressed, and the contributors discuss their own authoritative but moderate viewpoints. A profusion of excellent illustrative material is included, and the bibliographies are current and extensive. In addition, chapter organization, writing style, and illustrations are tightly unified throughout the text; thus, duplication of information and variations in style from chapter to chapter are avoided. Anatomic, physiologic, radiologic, and laboratory aspects of disease are creditably
BOOK REVIEWS
Mayo Clin Proc, August 1986, Vol 61
dures. The many major developments that have occurred in the field of orthopedic surgery in recent years necessitated the addition of these new chapters. The 72 contributors are generally experienced and well-known orthopedic surgeons. Because of the multiple authorship, the style and content of the book vary considerably, and some of the material is repetitious. This variability and repetition, however, are not distracting, and the text is generally well edited. In most chapters in this edition, the authors report the frequency of various complications. The book is useful in that it presents the numerous important complications that may accompany the orthopedic management of a patient, even by experienced surgeons. It is more than simply a compilation of these various complications, however; in fact, it focuses on errors in diagnosis and management that may contribute to the frequency of complications. Suggestions about how these errors can be avoided or minimized are thoroughly discussed. The text is easy to read, and the illustrations satisfactorily enhance the narrative. Because of the size of the text, the reader is unlikely to try to digest the entire content. Rather, these volumes will probably be most useful to the orthopedist who is reviewing a particular procedure or a specific complication. The reader may find valuable information on how to avoid complications and also how to manage those complications that do occur. This text should be of interest to everyone who participates in the management of patients with orthopedic problems. Douglas J. Pritchard, M.D. Department of Orthopedics
Surgery of the Foot, by Kent K. Wu, 537 pp, with illus, $65, Philadelphia, Lea & Febiger, 1986 Because one of every six patients examined by an orthopedic surgeon has a problem related to the foot region, a textbook on surgical procedures of the foot may assume importance on the basis of numbers alone. In this text, an attempt is made to cover forefoot abnormalities, tarsal afflictions, amputations, fractures, neoplastic lesions, and various other broad topics such as circulatory
disturbances, metabolic diseases, and congenital abnormalities. All these topics are addressed in only nine chapters and 537 pages. The result is a superficial and incomplete consideration of foot problems. Some of the opinions expressed are indefensible and, in fact, leave the reader with many unanswered questions as well as unquestioned answers. The technical aspects of the book are also disappointing. For example, no color illustrations are included, the location of the illustrations may be two or three pages away from the associated text, the references are not cited in the text material, the diagrams are line drawings that lack necessary detail, and many lists are used as a method of presentation. Two purposes of a review are to attempt to place a book in perspective and to provide some insight into what to expect if it is pursued in detail. This book is not worth any investment of time or money. Kenneth A. Johnson, M.D. Department of Orthopedics Surgical D i s e a s e s of the Pleura and Chest Wall, by R. Maurice Hood, 269 pp, with illus, $49.95, Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders Company, 1986 Some potential readers may think that the subject of this book is mundane, and others may consider it of historical interest only. In my opinion, this monograph is exciting, sorely needed, and timely—a modern classic that presents in one notso-thin volume a compendium of current knowledge about diseases of the pleura and chest wall and their management. The text is succinct and clearly written; the remarkable economy of words makes reading an absolute pleasure. Conflicting opinions are expressed, and the contributors discuss their own authoritative but moderate viewpoints. A profusion of excellent illustrative material is included, and the bibliographies are current and extensive. In addition, chapter organization, writing style, and illustrations are tightly unified throughout the text; thus, duplication of information and variations in style from chapter to chapter are avoided. Anatomic, physiologic, radiologic, and laboratory aspects of disease are creditably