- Email: [email protected]
Textbook of Intravenous Anesthesia
Grading Key
***** = outstanding; **** = excellent; *** = good; ** =fair; * =poor.
Book Reviews Textbook of Intravenous Anesthesia, edited by Paul F. White, 617 pp, with illus, $89, Baltimore, Williams & Wilkins (telephone: 800-638-0672), 1997, ISBN 0-683-09000-3
Type ofBook: A reference text with contributions from an international group of clinical anesthesiologists and experts in both applied and pure science. Scope of Book: This comprehensive review of intravenously administered anesthetic drugs, including narcotics, sedativehypnotics, and muscle relaxants, has a wonderful international "flavor" and includes fascinating historical perspectives. Contents: The book begins with a review of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, followed by a discussion of proposed mechanisms of action of intravenously administered anesthetic and analgesic agents. The pharmacology and kinetics of individual classes of drugs-sedative-hypnotics (including barbiturates, benzodiazepines, etomidate, propofol, corticosteroids, and ketamine hydrochloride), analgesics (including opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and local anesthetics), and muscle relaxants-are reviewed in detail. Techniques for intravenous induction of anesthesia are presented, including administration in special populations (pediatric, elderly, ambulatory, and critically ill patients). Controversies about these techniques are also covered. The book concludes with two fascinating chapters on associated outcomes and future developments in these techniques. Strengths: This book presents a large body of knowledge in a single source. The international multiauthored format provides a readable and broad-based approach to the topic. The editor has done a masterful job of minimizing repetition among the chapters and maintaining a common format throughout the book. Each chapter has an extensive bibliography. Deficiencies: I found no major deficiencies. Recommended Readership: Anesthesiologists, residents in anesthesiology, and critical-care physicians will find this an excellent reference source. Overall Grading:
*****
Laurence C. Torsher, M.D., Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, Minnesota
Legends and Legacies: A Look Inside Four Decades of Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1952·1993, by Mary Jane Kagarise and Colin G. Thomas, Jr., 461 pp, with illus, $65, Department of Surgery, CB 7050, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, UNC School of Medicine (telephone: 919-966-4320),1997, ISBN 0-9653036-0-8
Type of Book: A historical account of the development of a surgical department at a major university. Scope of Book: After a brief history of the University of North Carolina and early efforts to establish a medical school, the text chronicles the development of the Department of Surgery from 1952 to 1993, when the 4-year medical school was established at the university. Mayo Clin Proc 1997;72:1199-1200
Contents: The book is divided into three parts. Part I provides background information, leading up to the selection of Dr. Nathan Womack as the original chairman of the Department of Surgery in 1952. The practice of general surgery from 1952 to 1993 is reviewed, and Dr. Womack's plans and methods of implementation are discussed. Part II consists of accounts by various members of the faculty and house staff on the development of specific surgical specialties, including cardiothoracic, orthopedic, otolaryngologic, plastic, and vascular disciplines. A separate chapter at the end of this section is dedicated to the Nathan A. Womack Surgical Society. Part III, which is a pictorial tribute to the first 4 decades of house staff and faculty, is composed of chronologically arranged annual photographs. Strengths: The authors provide an extremely accurate and heartfelt account of the establishment of a strong university-based general surgical training program. Dr. Colin Thomas, a current faculty member who was present at Chapel Hill in 1952, shares his firsthand knowledge of the activities at the University of North Carolina during this period of its growth. The text provides not only a considerable amount of data but also a warm personal account of some of the surgical instructors at the university and many of the men and women who trained with them. The authors have done an excellent job of portraying the emotional attachment that house officers acquire for their mentors and for their parent institution. Deficiencies: I found no particular deficiencies. Recommended Readership: Anyone who is interested in leaming how an outstanding university-based surgical teaching program is established would enjoy reading part I of this book. Obviously, persons associated with the University of North Carolina will enjoy this handy, comprehensive reference source immensely. Overall Grading:
***
Phillip G. Arnold, M.D., Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, Minnesota
Movement Disorders: Neurologic Principles and Practice, edited by Ray L. Watts and William C. Koller, 779 pp, with illus, $125, New York, McGraw-Hill (telephone: 800-722-4726), 1997, ISBN 0-07-035203-8
Type ofBook: A multi authored text with contributions by international authorities in both the basic science and the clinical aspects of movement disorders. Scope of Book: Parkinsonism, tremor, dystonia, chorea, tics, myoclonus, tardive phenomena, and cerebellar disorders are reviewed with regard to historical perspectives, contemporary concepts of pathophysiology, and therapies for symptom relief. Contents: The phenomenology of movement disorders and the physiology of motor pathways are subjects of early chapters, followed by reviews of functional neuroimaging and molecular and biochemical techniques. Chapters devoted to specific syndromes comprise the bulk of the text. Highlights of the book include presentations on the controversies regarding genetic versus environmental factors in the etiology of Parkinson's disease and the role
1199
© 1997 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
For personal use. Mass reproduce only with permission from Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
***** = outstanding; **** = excellent; *** = good; ** =fair; * =poor.
Book Reviews Textbook of Intravenous Anesthesia, edited by Paul F. White, 617 pp, with illus, $89, Baltimore, Williams & Wilkins (telephone: 800-638-0672), 1997, ISBN 0-683-09000-3
Type ofBook: A reference text with contributions from an international group of clinical anesthesiologists and experts in both applied and pure science. Scope of Book: This comprehensive review of intravenously administered anesthetic drugs, including narcotics, sedativehypnotics, and muscle relaxants, has a wonderful international "flavor" and includes fascinating historical perspectives. Contents: The book begins with a review of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, followed by a discussion of proposed mechanisms of action of intravenously administered anesthetic and analgesic agents. The pharmacology and kinetics of individual classes of drugs-sedative-hypnotics (including barbiturates, benzodiazepines, etomidate, propofol, corticosteroids, and ketamine hydrochloride), analgesics (including opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and local anesthetics), and muscle relaxants-are reviewed in detail. Techniques for intravenous induction of anesthesia are presented, including administration in special populations (pediatric, elderly, ambulatory, and critically ill patients). Controversies about these techniques are also covered. The book concludes with two fascinating chapters on associated outcomes and future developments in these techniques. Strengths: This book presents a large body of knowledge in a single source. The international multiauthored format provides a readable and broad-based approach to the topic. The editor has done a masterful job of minimizing repetition among the chapters and maintaining a common format throughout the book. Each chapter has an extensive bibliography. Deficiencies: I found no major deficiencies. Recommended Readership: Anesthesiologists, residents in anesthesiology, and critical-care physicians will find this an excellent reference source. Overall Grading:
*****
Laurence C. Torsher, M.D., Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, Minnesota
Legends and Legacies: A Look Inside Four Decades of Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1952·1993, by Mary Jane Kagarise and Colin G. Thomas, Jr., 461 pp, with illus, $65, Department of Surgery, CB 7050, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, UNC School of Medicine (telephone: 919-966-4320),1997, ISBN 0-9653036-0-8
Type of Book: A historical account of the development of a surgical department at a major university. Scope of Book: After a brief history of the University of North Carolina and early efforts to establish a medical school, the text chronicles the development of the Department of Surgery from 1952 to 1993, when the 4-year medical school was established at the university. Mayo Clin Proc 1997;72:1199-1200
Contents: The book is divided into three parts. Part I provides background information, leading up to the selection of Dr. Nathan Womack as the original chairman of the Department of Surgery in 1952. The practice of general surgery from 1952 to 1993 is reviewed, and Dr. Womack's plans and methods of implementation are discussed. Part II consists of accounts by various members of the faculty and house staff on the development of specific surgical specialties, including cardiothoracic, orthopedic, otolaryngologic, plastic, and vascular disciplines. A separate chapter at the end of this section is dedicated to the Nathan A. Womack Surgical Society. Part III, which is a pictorial tribute to the first 4 decades of house staff and faculty, is composed of chronologically arranged annual photographs. Strengths: The authors provide an extremely accurate and heartfelt account of the establishment of a strong university-based general surgical training program. Dr. Colin Thomas, a current faculty member who was present at Chapel Hill in 1952, shares his firsthand knowledge of the activities at the University of North Carolina during this period of its growth. The text provides not only a considerable amount of data but also a warm personal account of some of the surgical instructors at the university and many of the men and women who trained with them. The authors have done an excellent job of portraying the emotional attachment that house officers acquire for their mentors and for their parent institution. Deficiencies: I found no particular deficiencies. Recommended Readership: Anyone who is interested in leaming how an outstanding university-based surgical teaching program is established would enjoy reading part I of this book. Obviously, persons associated with the University of North Carolina will enjoy this handy, comprehensive reference source immensely. Overall Grading:
***
Phillip G. Arnold, M.D., Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, Minnesota
Movement Disorders: Neurologic Principles and Practice, edited by Ray L. Watts and William C. Koller, 779 pp, with illus, $125, New York, McGraw-Hill (telephone: 800-722-4726), 1997, ISBN 0-07-035203-8
Type ofBook: A multi authored text with contributions by international authorities in both the basic science and the clinical aspects of movement disorders. Scope of Book: Parkinsonism, tremor, dystonia, chorea, tics, myoclonus, tardive phenomena, and cerebellar disorders are reviewed with regard to historical perspectives, contemporary concepts of pathophysiology, and therapies for symptom relief. Contents: The phenomenology of movement disorders and the physiology of motor pathways are subjects of early chapters, followed by reviews of functional neuroimaging and molecular and biochemical techniques. Chapters devoted to specific syndromes comprise the bulk of the text. Highlights of the book include presentations on the controversies regarding genetic versus environmental factors in the etiology of Parkinson's disease and the role
1199
© 1997 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
For personal use. Mass reproduce only with permission from Mayo Clinic Proceedings.