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Surgical atlas of gynecologic oncology
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European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 58 (1995) 97-99
OBSTm GYNECOLOGY
Book reviews
Torch Syndrome Edited by Gilles RG Monif Published by IDI Publications Genital and perinatal infections are of major importance for perinatal morbidity and perinatal mortality. New diagnostic tools like PCR and LCR, new treatment regimens and new insights into the possibilities of screening and of education of the public offer new applications of perinatal care. Obstetricians around the world should pay much more attention to the prevention, the diagnosis and the treatment of perinatal infections. Such a policy may improve perinatal results and even improve later human life at relatively low cost. Therefore, it is an excellent idea in itself to devote a monograph to perinatal infections. Torch Syndrome is a very informative, confusing, chaotic and rather poorly illustrated book. The book deals with an important number of perinatal infections: toxoplasma, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, enterovirus, hepatitis B, human parvovirus, measles, mumps, HIV, varicella, and also with asymptomatic bacteriuria, group B streptococci, Listeria and syphilis, but alas not with Chlamydia trachomatis and Gonococci. The book has no introduction. The structure of the chapters is inconsistent and rather chaotic. It is a difficult job indeed to understand the content and message of each chapter apart. The illustrations are important, sometimes even alarming, but alas only presented in black and white and therefore of poor educational value: a real problem. However, the book contains very informative pieces of information, of importance for actual clinical practice. The cited literature is mostly out of date, indeed sometimes alarmingly so. The possible benefit of zidovidine therapy during pregnancy of HIV-infected pregnants is mentioned and the spiramycin treatment of toxoplasma infected pregnant women is discussed. However, group B streptoccci are rather shortly discussed and no information is given on the possible benefits of prophylactic vaginal washings as studied in Oslo and elsewhere. Torch Syndrome may give some additional information for obstetricians already interested in perinatal infections. For those
looking for a clinical manual on perinatal infections it is of limited value and cannot be recommended. Professor Dr O.P. Bleker Amsterdam, 29 September 1994
Surgical Atlas of Gynecologic Oncology Edited by D.G. Gallup and O.E. Talledo Published by W.B. Saunders Company This American Atlas of Gynecologic Oncology Surgery is compiled to reflect the experience accumulated by the authors, who come predominantly from the Department of Gynecologic Oncology at the Medical College of Georgia. It aims to record the majority of procedures used by gynecologic-oncologists, with an emphasis on the new trend towards less radical surgery where possible. The book begins with a good but rather basic chapter on general peri-operative management of the surgical patient. Not much mention is made of problems encountered specifically in gynaecological oncology and, in particular, no mention is made of possible difficulties that may result from associated radio- and/or chemotherapy. Subsequent chapters do, however, contain short but clear sections on the indications for the operative procedure described, possible modifications and a particularly clear summary of potential problems that may be encountered both with regard to intra-operative technique and post-operative management. The major gynaecologic oncology procedures are all well described, including radical vulvectomy, groin dissection, radical hysterectomy (modified and with pelvic node dissection) as well as anterior and posterior pelvic exenteration. It is somewhat disappointing that for vulvar carcinoma the traditional 'en bloc' resection is described in detail rather than the now more commonly used technique of separate incisions for groin node removal.
98
Book reviews /European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 58 (1995) 97-99
There are separate chapters on the repair of vesicoand recto-vaginal fistulae and the use of diverse muscle and skin flaps for the correction of large defects. A short chapter on the various, sometimes unusual, abdominal incisions is fascinating to read. In general the illustrations, despite being in black and white, are beautifully drawn, well spaced and have clear explanatory footnotes. Those expecting a detailed anatomical atlas will perhaps find them over-simplified at times. On the whole this atlas is clearly based on experience in Georgia and may not reflect practice in Europe and in the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, thanks to its clarity and easy readability, it will appeal to those commencing in gynaecologic oncology. Nynke van den Broek Leeds, UK
Brain Lesions in the Newborn: Hypoxic and Haemodynamic Pathogenesis Edited by Lou, Greisen and Larsen I am told that throughout the world there is one medical symposium commencing every five seconds. Some of them produce proceedings in book form and some of these books are worth reading. 'Brain Lesions in the Newborn' is number 37 in the series of Alfred Benzon Symposia and is well worth dipping into. The meeting to which the book relates was held in August 1993 in Copenhagen and 33 contributions are included, together with discussion arising from these presentations. The list of participants reads like a Who's Who of perinatal neurology and reflects a truly international range of experts. A weakness of the book is the apparent lack of focus and the chapter headings appear in a relatively random order. There are far too many typographical errors in the text and these are likely to irritate the reader. Despite these minor problems, many of the contributions are of a high order. Basic science as it relates to brain development and pathology is very well reviewed and there are some excellent chapters including those on excitatory amino acids, neuropathology, perinatal asphyxia and magnetic resonance imaging. The coherence of the book is weakened by other chapters that are basically reports of observations or experiments without having an overview perspective on the condition. The value of this book is as a source of background information and references which brings the reader up to speed
with this rapidly advancing area. I would strongly recommend it as a useful source-book. Malcolm Levene Leeds, UK
Obstetrical Pearls - - A Practical Guide for the Efficient Resident (2nd edition) Michael D. Benson, F.A. Davis Company, Philadelphia (£15.00) Designed to be read in three hours on the night before a junior resident commences his/her first obstetric post, 'Obstetrical Pearls' is pocket-sized and presents information in a logical and well thought-out manner. The book is divided into sections which reflect the geography of the hospital, i.e. antenatal clinic, labour ward and the postnatal ward together with a fourth section which deals with specific obstetric conditions, e.g. pre-eclampsia, twins and preterm labour. The author has realised that there is a gap between the undergraduate textbook with its lists of pathologies and the postgraduate tome with its esoteric minutiae. 'Obstetrical Pearls' fills the gap by providing the practical information required by the junior resident in the first few months in obstetrics, e.g. how to perform fetal scalp sampling and a step-by-step guide to the management of uterine atony including drug dosages and the practical aspects of postpartum care. Where controversy in clinical management exists, this is elaborated on and the risks and benefits of alternative treatments are discussed. The book is American and, although there are a few obvious differences from normal European practice, the value of the book is diminished only when drugs and drug names used in the text are not in common usage on this side of the Atlantic. The book would undoubtedly help the new resident survive what can be a very testing introduction to obstetrics. Perhaps an insert with an American/English glossary would be useful? R.I.J. Macdermott Leeds, UK
Basic Urogynaecology Linda Cardozo, Alfred Cutner and Brian Wise Oxford Medical Publications £14.95 Most younger gynaecologists in the United Kingdom have benefited from Linda Cardozo's lectures during
European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 58 (1995) 97-99
OBSTm GYNECOLOGY
Book reviews
Torch Syndrome Edited by Gilles RG Monif Published by IDI Publications Genital and perinatal infections are of major importance for perinatal morbidity and perinatal mortality. New diagnostic tools like PCR and LCR, new treatment regimens and new insights into the possibilities of screening and of education of the public offer new applications of perinatal care. Obstetricians around the world should pay much more attention to the prevention, the diagnosis and the treatment of perinatal infections. Such a policy may improve perinatal results and even improve later human life at relatively low cost. Therefore, it is an excellent idea in itself to devote a monograph to perinatal infections. Torch Syndrome is a very informative, confusing, chaotic and rather poorly illustrated book. The book deals with an important number of perinatal infections: toxoplasma, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, enterovirus, hepatitis B, human parvovirus, measles, mumps, HIV, varicella, and also with asymptomatic bacteriuria, group B streptococci, Listeria and syphilis, but alas not with Chlamydia trachomatis and Gonococci. The book has no introduction. The structure of the chapters is inconsistent and rather chaotic. It is a difficult job indeed to understand the content and message of each chapter apart. The illustrations are important, sometimes even alarming, but alas only presented in black and white and therefore of poor educational value: a real problem. However, the book contains very informative pieces of information, of importance for actual clinical practice. The cited literature is mostly out of date, indeed sometimes alarmingly so. The possible benefit of zidovidine therapy during pregnancy of HIV-infected pregnants is mentioned and the spiramycin treatment of toxoplasma infected pregnant women is discussed. However, group B streptoccci are rather shortly discussed and no information is given on the possible benefits of prophylactic vaginal washings as studied in Oslo and elsewhere. Torch Syndrome may give some additional information for obstetricians already interested in perinatal infections. For those
looking for a clinical manual on perinatal infections it is of limited value and cannot be recommended. Professor Dr O.P. Bleker Amsterdam, 29 September 1994
Surgical Atlas of Gynecologic Oncology Edited by D.G. Gallup and O.E. Talledo Published by W.B. Saunders Company This American Atlas of Gynecologic Oncology Surgery is compiled to reflect the experience accumulated by the authors, who come predominantly from the Department of Gynecologic Oncology at the Medical College of Georgia. It aims to record the majority of procedures used by gynecologic-oncologists, with an emphasis on the new trend towards less radical surgery where possible. The book begins with a good but rather basic chapter on general peri-operative management of the surgical patient. Not much mention is made of problems encountered specifically in gynaecological oncology and, in particular, no mention is made of possible difficulties that may result from associated radio- and/or chemotherapy. Subsequent chapters do, however, contain short but clear sections on the indications for the operative procedure described, possible modifications and a particularly clear summary of potential problems that may be encountered both with regard to intra-operative technique and post-operative management. The major gynaecologic oncology procedures are all well described, including radical vulvectomy, groin dissection, radical hysterectomy (modified and with pelvic node dissection) as well as anterior and posterior pelvic exenteration. It is somewhat disappointing that for vulvar carcinoma the traditional 'en bloc' resection is described in detail rather than the now more commonly used technique of separate incisions for groin node removal.
98
Book reviews /European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 58 (1995) 97-99
There are separate chapters on the repair of vesicoand recto-vaginal fistulae and the use of diverse muscle and skin flaps for the correction of large defects. A short chapter on the various, sometimes unusual, abdominal incisions is fascinating to read. In general the illustrations, despite being in black and white, are beautifully drawn, well spaced and have clear explanatory footnotes. Those expecting a detailed anatomical atlas will perhaps find them over-simplified at times. On the whole this atlas is clearly based on experience in Georgia and may not reflect practice in Europe and in the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, thanks to its clarity and easy readability, it will appeal to those commencing in gynaecologic oncology. Nynke van den Broek Leeds, UK
Brain Lesions in the Newborn: Hypoxic and Haemodynamic Pathogenesis Edited by Lou, Greisen and Larsen I am told that throughout the world there is one medical symposium commencing every five seconds. Some of them produce proceedings in book form and some of these books are worth reading. 'Brain Lesions in the Newborn' is number 37 in the series of Alfred Benzon Symposia and is well worth dipping into. The meeting to which the book relates was held in August 1993 in Copenhagen and 33 contributions are included, together with discussion arising from these presentations. The list of participants reads like a Who's Who of perinatal neurology and reflects a truly international range of experts. A weakness of the book is the apparent lack of focus and the chapter headings appear in a relatively random order. There are far too many typographical errors in the text and these are likely to irritate the reader. Despite these minor problems, many of the contributions are of a high order. Basic science as it relates to brain development and pathology is very well reviewed and there are some excellent chapters including those on excitatory amino acids, neuropathology, perinatal asphyxia and magnetic resonance imaging. The coherence of the book is weakened by other chapters that are basically reports of observations or experiments without having an overview perspective on the condition. The value of this book is as a source of background information and references which brings the reader up to speed
with this rapidly advancing area. I would strongly recommend it as a useful source-book. Malcolm Levene Leeds, UK
Obstetrical Pearls - - A Practical Guide for the Efficient Resident (2nd edition) Michael D. Benson, F.A. Davis Company, Philadelphia (£15.00) Designed to be read in three hours on the night before a junior resident commences his/her first obstetric post, 'Obstetrical Pearls' is pocket-sized and presents information in a logical and well thought-out manner. The book is divided into sections which reflect the geography of the hospital, i.e. antenatal clinic, labour ward and the postnatal ward together with a fourth section which deals with specific obstetric conditions, e.g. pre-eclampsia, twins and preterm labour. The author has realised that there is a gap between the undergraduate textbook with its lists of pathologies and the postgraduate tome with its esoteric minutiae. 'Obstetrical Pearls' fills the gap by providing the practical information required by the junior resident in the first few months in obstetrics, e.g. how to perform fetal scalp sampling and a step-by-step guide to the management of uterine atony including drug dosages and the practical aspects of postpartum care. Where controversy in clinical management exists, this is elaborated on and the risks and benefits of alternative treatments are discussed. The book is American and, although there are a few obvious differences from normal European practice, the value of the book is diminished only when drugs and drug names used in the text are not in common usage on this side of the Atlantic. The book would undoubtedly help the new resident survive what can be a very testing introduction to obstetrics. Perhaps an insert with an American/English glossary would be useful? R.I.J. Macdermott Leeds, UK
Basic Urogynaecology Linda Cardozo, Alfred Cutner and Brian Wise Oxford Medical Publications £14.95 Most younger gynaecologists in the United Kingdom have benefited from Linda Cardozo's lectures during