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Tendon Transfers of the Hand and Forearm
1065
BOOK REVIEWS
Mayo Clin Proc, October 1988, Vol 63
as rapidly, such as the treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and apnea. Unfortunately, the book does not address the recent developments in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or nu trition, nor does it provide a review of neonatal acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). All the chapters are uniformly strong in their presentations of neonatal pathophysiology, and most present concise reviews of the research that has been undertaken in the past 5 years. The major weakness in most chapters, however, is that the clinical application of this new knowl edge is not adequately addressed. This deficiency will make the book less helpful to practicing clinicians than it might have been. Because each chapter summarizes recent developments in neonatology, the book will be a welcome resource for neonatologists who have completed training 5 or more years ago. Moreover, because it presents thorough discussions of pathophysiology, it will be a good text for advanced pediatric residents and fellows in neonatology. Teachers will find the chapters extremely helpful as resources for lec ture materials. This book's major strength—time liness—however, may contribute to its shortened usefulness as new information causes it to be come outdated. Carol Lynn Berseth, M.D. Section of General Pediatrics and Neonatology
Pancreatic Transplantation, edited by Carl G. Groth, 413 pp, with illus, $80, Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders Company, 1988 Because transplantation of the pancreas is a relatively new field (several international work shops are currently being conducted), those in terested in the area have eagerly been awaiting a book specifically devoted to this topic. This 27chapter book by 36 contributors primarily dis cusses vascularized pancreas transplantation. The book follows a rational outline, from selec tion of patients, through retrieval and preserva tion of grafts, to immunologic considerations and techniques. In the last-mentioned section, several procedures are espoused by various medical cen ters. The subsequent sections address postopera tive management, surgical complications, rejec tion, immunosuppression, and metabolic and
exocrine function. Finally, two chapters discuss islet cell transplantation. As one would expect in a new field in which several different techniques are being explored, this multiauthored text has the disadvantage of being a "how-I-do-it" book. Although the book is generally well organized, the authors cover sev eral ideas and topics in their individual contri butions, and there is little consistency in style and format among the chapters. Although the book contains a considerable amount of excellent information, every chapter must be read in order to obtain the full benefit. As the first text in the field of pancreatic trans plantation, this book represents a good begin ning. I look forward to the publication of a second edition, however, which will have more consis tency among chapters and a more topic-oriented (rather than center-oriented) approach than this current edition. James D. Perkins, M.D. Section of Transplantation Surgery Tendon Transfers of the Hand and Forearm (Monographs in Hand Surgery), by Richard J. Smith, 337 pp, with illus, $65, Boston, Little, Brown and Company, 1987 Hand surgery is, indeed, an elegant and beautiful specialty. None personalized it better than the late Richard J. Smith, who is well recognized for his succinct writing and teaching style and his love of interaction among colleagues, residents, and medical students. Because of his strong in terest in tendon transfers of the hand and fore arm, it is fitting that this clearly illustrated, concise yet inclusive monograph on this subject concludes his medical publications. Smith's enthusiasm for teaching is evident in 16 chapters in this text. An initial brief historical chapter offers insight into the giants of this field who first drew attention to important physiologic concepts of tendon transfers during the postpolio era. The second, and most important, chapter of the book deals with biologic and mechanical principles of tendon transfer. This material pro vides the basis for understanding the sense of the following chapters, which are directed at specific areas such as restoration of thumb opposition, power pinch, wrist and digit extension, brachial
Mayo Clin Proc, October 1988, Vol 63
plexopathy, congenital deformities of the hand, and rheumatoid arthritis. What I personally enjoyed about this mono graph was the author's description, in textual material, line drawings, and clinical photo graphs, of each important tendon transfer, pre sented in an easy-to-follow, readable style. Al though the text presents his own particular preferences for tendon transfer, the author also provides a wide range of alternative procedures recommended by others and references them clearly. In each chapter, he addresses the prob lems of overcorrection, lack of proper contraction or action of the transfer, balance and stability, and methods for testing the transfer when un anticipated results occur. For hand, plastic, and orthopedic surgeons as well as fellows-in-training who will be involved in the care of patients requiring transfer of ten dons of the hand and wrist, this monograph should stand as the definitive text for years to come. No issue or observation is neglected in the clear, in-depth coverage of all pertinent subjects by an outstanding hand surgeon. One can only wish that Richard Smith were here to enjoy the well-deserved accolades that this book so richly deserves. William P. Cooney III, M.D. Section of Surgery of the Hand Giant Intracranial Aneurysms: Therapeutic Approaches, by Yves Keravel and Marc Sindou, 163 pp, with illus, $98, New York, SpringerVerlag, 1988 This text was previously published in a French monograph entitled "Les anevrysmes geants intracräniens: approches therapeutiques," which was published by the French-Speaking Neurosurgical Society in 1984 in Neurochirurgie (30 [Suppl 1]:1-128). In the current book, new cases have been added from the personal experience of the authors, and the review of the literature has been updated somewhat. The text provides a complete review of the problem of giant intracranial aneurysms. In fact, it is the most complete review devoted exclusively to this subject available to date in the English literature. The overall quality of the material, including the extensive bibliography, is excellent.
BOOK REVIEWS
1066
The book is logically divided into sections that deal with pathologic aspects, pathophysiologic features, natural history, diagnostic studies, and surgical management. The text is well illustrated, including numerous operative sketches that ac company specific case reports. I was particularly impressed with the section devoted to the various types of clips for the man agement of these difficult lesions. The detail in which the authors explore the subject of aneu rysms is illustrated in this chapter, which dis cusses the opening angles of the clips most widely used today, the closing pressures of these clips, and their metallurgy. The authors also address the interactions between tissues and clips and describe the manner in which they have tested the various currently available clips. In summary, I highly recommend this text for neurosurgeons and interventional radiologists. Thoralf M. Sundt, Jr., M.D. Department of Neurologic Surgery Operative Neurosurgical Techniques: Indi cations, Methods, and Results, 2nd ed (in 2 vols), edited by Henry H. Schmidek and William H. Sweet, 1,656 pp, with illus, $325, Philadelphia, Grune & Stratton, 1988 This second edition of Operative Neurosurgical Techniques is a comprehensive guide to the per formance of most neurosurgical procedures. The book will be a valuable reference source for prac ticing neurosurgeons. This revised edition is an expansion of the first edition, which was published in 1982. The text includes chapters on almost every currently used neurosurgical procedure. The organization in this edition differs somewhat from that of the first edition. After an initial section on techniques related to head injuries, volume 1 continues with coverage of the management of pediatric neuro surgical problems, intracranial neoplasms, and reconstructive vascular operations. Volume 2 dis cusses the management of intracranial aneurysms and hemorrhage, functional neurosurgical proce dures, operations for the cranial nerves, spinal procedures, and techniques applicable to periph eral nerves. Some important new chapters have been added in the second edition. The material on the man-
BOOK REVIEWS
Mayo Clin Proc, October 1988, Vol 63
as rapidly, such as the treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and apnea. Unfortunately, the book does not address the recent developments in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or nu trition, nor does it provide a review of neonatal acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). All the chapters are uniformly strong in their presentations of neonatal pathophysiology, and most present concise reviews of the research that has been undertaken in the past 5 years. The major weakness in most chapters, however, is that the clinical application of this new knowl edge is not adequately addressed. This deficiency will make the book less helpful to practicing clinicians than it might have been. Because each chapter summarizes recent developments in neonatology, the book will be a welcome resource for neonatologists who have completed training 5 or more years ago. Moreover, because it presents thorough discussions of pathophysiology, it will be a good text for advanced pediatric residents and fellows in neonatology. Teachers will find the chapters extremely helpful as resources for lec ture materials. This book's major strength—time liness—however, may contribute to its shortened usefulness as new information causes it to be come outdated. Carol Lynn Berseth, M.D. Section of General Pediatrics and Neonatology
Pancreatic Transplantation, edited by Carl G. Groth, 413 pp, with illus, $80, Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders Company, 1988 Because transplantation of the pancreas is a relatively new field (several international work shops are currently being conducted), those in terested in the area have eagerly been awaiting a book specifically devoted to this topic. This 27chapter book by 36 contributors primarily dis cusses vascularized pancreas transplantation. The book follows a rational outline, from selec tion of patients, through retrieval and preserva tion of grafts, to immunologic considerations and techniques. In the last-mentioned section, several procedures are espoused by various medical cen ters. The subsequent sections address postopera tive management, surgical complications, rejec tion, immunosuppression, and metabolic and
exocrine function. Finally, two chapters discuss islet cell transplantation. As one would expect in a new field in which several different techniques are being explored, this multiauthored text has the disadvantage of being a "how-I-do-it" book. Although the book is generally well organized, the authors cover sev eral ideas and topics in their individual contri butions, and there is little consistency in style and format among the chapters. Although the book contains a considerable amount of excellent information, every chapter must be read in order to obtain the full benefit. As the first text in the field of pancreatic trans plantation, this book represents a good begin ning. I look forward to the publication of a second edition, however, which will have more consis tency among chapters and a more topic-oriented (rather than center-oriented) approach than this current edition. James D. Perkins, M.D. Section of Transplantation Surgery Tendon Transfers of the Hand and Forearm (Monographs in Hand Surgery), by Richard J. Smith, 337 pp, with illus, $65, Boston, Little, Brown and Company, 1987 Hand surgery is, indeed, an elegant and beautiful specialty. None personalized it better than the late Richard J. Smith, who is well recognized for his succinct writing and teaching style and his love of interaction among colleagues, residents, and medical students. Because of his strong in terest in tendon transfers of the hand and fore arm, it is fitting that this clearly illustrated, concise yet inclusive monograph on this subject concludes his medical publications. Smith's enthusiasm for teaching is evident in 16 chapters in this text. An initial brief historical chapter offers insight into the giants of this field who first drew attention to important physiologic concepts of tendon transfers during the postpolio era. The second, and most important, chapter of the book deals with biologic and mechanical principles of tendon transfer. This material pro vides the basis for understanding the sense of the following chapters, which are directed at specific areas such as restoration of thumb opposition, power pinch, wrist and digit extension, brachial
Mayo Clin Proc, October 1988, Vol 63
plexopathy, congenital deformities of the hand, and rheumatoid arthritis. What I personally enjoyed about this mono graph was the author's description, in textual material, line drawings, and clinical photo graphs, of each important tendon transfer, pre sented in an easy-to-follow, readable style. Al though the text presents his own particular preferences for tendon transfer, the author also provides a wide range of alternative procedures recommended by others and references them clearly. In each chapter, he addresses the prob lems of overcorrection, lack of proper contraction or action of the transfer, balance and stability, and methods for testing the transfer when un anticipated results occur. For hand, plastic, and orthopedic surgeons as well as fellows-in-training who will be involved in the care of patients requiring transfer of ten dons of the hand and wrist, this monograph should stand as the definitive text for years to come. No issue or observation is neglected in the clear, in-depth coverage of all pertinent subjects by an outstanding hand surgeon. One can only wish that Richard Smith were here to enjoy the well-deserved accolades that this book so richly deserves. William P. Cooney III, M.D. Section of Surgery of the Hand Giant Intracranial Aneurysms: Therapeutic Approaches, by Yves Keravel and Marc Sindou, 163 pp, with illus, $98, New York, SpringerVerlag, 1988 This text was previously published in a French monograph entitled "Les anevrysmes geants intracräniens: approches therapeutiques," which was published by the French-Speaking Neurosurgical Society in 1984 in Neurochirurgie (30 [Suppl 1]:1-128). In the current book, new cases have been added from the personal experience of the authors, and the review of the literature has been updated somewhat. The text provides a complete review of the problem of giant intracranial aneurysms. In fact, it is the most complete review devoted exclusively to this subject available to date in the English literature. The overall quality of the material, including the extensive bibliography, is excellent.
BOOK REVIEWS
1066
The book is logically divided into sections that deal with pathologic aspects, pathophysiologic features, natural history, diagnostic studies, and surgical management. The text is well illustrated, including numerous operative sketches that ac company specific case reports. I was particularly impressed with the section devoted to the various types of clips for the man agement of these difficult lesions. The detail in which the authors explore the subject of aneu rysms is illustrated in this chapter, which dis cusses the opening angles of the clips most widely used today, the closing pressures of these clips, and their metallurgy. The authors also address the interactions between tissues and clips and describe the manner in which they have tested the various currently available clips. In summary, I highly recommend this text for neurosurgeons and interventional radiologists. Thoralf M. Sundt, Jr., M.D. Department of Neurologic Surgery Operative Neurosurgical Techniques: Indi cations, Methods, and Results, 2nd ed (in 2 vols), edited by Henry H. Schmidek and William H. Sweet, 1,656 pp, with illus, $325, Philadelphia, Grune & Stratton, 1988 This second edition of Operative Neurosurgical Techniques is a comprehensive guide to the per formance of most neurosurgical procedures. The book will be a valuable reference source for prac ticing neurosurgeons. This revised edition is an expansion of the first edition, which was published in 1982. The text includes chapters on almost every currently used neurosurgical procedure. The organization in this edition differs somewhat from that of the first edition. After an initial section on techniques related to head injuries, volume 1 continues with coverage of the management of pediatric neuro surgical problems, intracranial neoplasms, and reconstructive vascular operations. Volume 2 dis cusses the management of intracranial aneurysms and hemorrhage, functional neurosurgical proce dures, operations for the cranial nerves, spinal procedures, and techniques applicable to periph eral nerves. Some important new chapters have been added in the second edition. The material on the man-