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Tracheotomy
British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (1986) 24, 467 0 1986 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
BOOK REVIEWS Tracheotomy. Edited by EUGENE N. MYERS, SYLVAN E. STOOL and Livingstone. New York 1985. pp. 318. Price: f36.00.
JONAS
T. JOHNSON. Churchill
This is a multi-author book largely written by Otolaryngologists and Paediatricians. There are 25 separate contributors to the text but it is remarkable how well the multiple opinions blend together with a minimum of repetition. It is perhaps inevitable that the main emphasis in the book is on long term tracheotomy, particularly in children. However. the maxillofacial surgeon will find much of interest to his specialty. There is a short but fascinating historical perspective at the beginning which should not be missed. Several subsequent chapters cover aspects of respiratory physiology and summarise current knowledge. Chapter 3 is a particularly good account of the important medical problems which may require tracheostomy such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the adult respiratory distress syndrome. The following chapters deal with alternatives to tracheostomy with a detailed account of the relevant surgical anatomy. Where the book turns to techniques the reader may Find some disappointments. The relative merits of the various kinds of incision or stoma formation into the trachea in temporary tracheostomies are not argued through to the satisfaction of the surgeon mainly concerned with acute airway problems. He will however be pleased to find in one volume of reference a comprehensive account of the various (and numerous) designs of tracheostomy tubes together with excellent guidelines for selection to suit different circumstances. Complications, antibiotic prophylaxis and decannulation each merit a chapter but thereafter the book begins to run out of steam for those without a special interest. Sections on nursing care, home management of children and medico-legal aspects arc no doubt necessary for completeness. but they occupy one third of the book and this reader got a little bored! Altogether a useful volume to have in a departmental library, well illustrated and not excessively expensive by modern standards. PETER BANKS
Current Therapy in OtolaryngologyiHead and Neck Surgery C. V. Mosby Co. pp. 445. Price ~07.00.
1984185. Edited
by GEORGE A. GATES.
Most of the articles are good and some are outstandingly good. written by surgeons with vast experience. Throughout the book the emphasis has been on management. The range of the subjects is very wide and a number of less common and puzzling conditions have been included and give a good insight in the management of unusual problems. I am most impressed by the results of medical management of Meniere’s and the results of acoustic neuroma surgery. The occasional article does raise questions. For example, in the management of chronic tympanomastoiditis the open canal technique is advised-in certain categories of patients. I feel that this technique is likely to cause serious problems, far more difficult to deal with at a later date. Furthermore. eradication of infection in the only hearing ear should be advised to protect the hearing in the long term. The format of the articles represents the practices of the individual authors whose views may or may not accord with those of the reader. It would have been better if a few authoritative references could have been given, and it would be helpful if there were more drawings to complement some of the detailed anatomical/operative descriptions. This book would be a useful addition to a library. T. R. KAPUR Distributed
by Blackwell
467
BOOK REVIEWS Tracheotomy. Edited by EUGENE N. MYERS, SYLVAN E. STOOL and Livingstone. New York 1985. pp. 318. Price: f36.00.
JONAS
T. JOHNSON. Churchill
This is a multi-author book largely written by Otolaryngologists and Paediatricians. There are 25 separate contributors to the text but it is remarkable how well the multiple opinions blend together with a minimum of repetition. It is perhaps inevitable that the main emphasis in the book is on long term tracheotomy, particularly in children. However. the maxillofacial surgeon will find much of interest to his specialty. There is a short but fascinating historical perspective at the beginning which should not be missed. Several subsequent chapters cover aspects of respiratory physiology and summarise current knowledge. Chapter 3 is a particularly good account of the important medical problems which may require tracheostomy such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the adult respiratory distress syndrome. The following chapters deal with alternatives to tracheostomy with a detailed account of the relevant surgical anatomy. Where the book turns to techniques the reader may Find some disappointments. The relative merits of the various kinds of incision or stoma formation into the trachea in temporary tracheostomies are not argued through to the satisfaction of the surgeon mainly concerned with acute airway problems. He will however be pleased to find in one volume of reference a comprehensive account of the various (and numerous) designs of tracheostomy tubes together with excellent guidelines for selection to suit different circumstances. Complications, antibiotic prophylaxis and decannulation each merit a chapter but thereafter the book begins to run out of steam for those without a special interest. Sections on nursing care, home management of children and medico-legal aspects arc no doubt necessary for completeness. but they occupy one third of the book and this reader got a little bored! Altogether a useful volume to have in a departmental library, well illustrated and not excessively expensive by modern standards. PETER BANKS
Current Therapy in OtolaryngologyiHead and Neck Surgery C. V. Mosby Co. pp. 445. Price ~07.00.
1984185. Edited
by GEORGE A. GATES.
Most of the articles are good and some are outstandingly good. written by surgeons with vast experience. Throughout the book the emphasis has been on management. The range of the subjects is very wide and a number of less common and puzzling conditions have been included and give a good insight in the management of unusual problems. I am most impressed by the results of medical management of Meniere’s and the results of acoustic neuroma surgery. The occasional article does raise questions. For example, in the management of chronic tympanomastoiditis the open canal technique is advised-in certain categories of patients. I feel that this technique is likely to cause serious problems, far more difficult to deal with at a later date. Furthermore. eradication of infection in the only hearing ear should be advised to protect the hearing in the long term. The format of the articles represents the practices of the individual authors whose views may or may not accord with those of the reader. It would have been better if a few authoritative references could have been given, and it would be helpful if there were more drawings to complement some of the detailed anatomical/operative descriptions. This book would be a useful addition to a library. T. R. KAPUR Distributed
by Blackwell
467