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Urologic endoscopic surgery
BOOK REVIEWS
Urologic Endoscopic Surgery. By Erich Matouschek. Philadelphia: BC Decker, 1989. 273 pages. $89.50
Urologic Endoscopic Surgery, originally published in 1987 in a German edition, was translated and edited at the University of Iowa. The English edition lacks some of the treatment options published in the original text, due to the differences in German and American medical insurance systems. The chapters on equipment, irrigation solutions, lubricants, and pressure studies in the urinary tract are informative and interesting. Although some of the physics formulas may not be geared to the clinical urologist, endourologic surgery is covered comprehensively and complemented by outstanding four-color endoscopic photography. Although a single-author book, some topics are repeated in subsequent chapters. The opinions expressed are not always those of prevalent practice, as in chapter 9, in which Dr. Matouschek indicates further evaluation and possible treatment before discharge for patients whose urinary flow rate is less than 20 mL/sec if there is residual urine after transurethal resection of the prostate. The complete text offers a comprehensive view of urologic endoscopic surgery. The impressive illustrations of endoscopic procedures will make it an excellent addition to medical libraries and recommended reading for residents. The color reproductions clearly justify the volume’s cost. Mohammud Amin Division of Urology University of Louisville L.ouisville, KY
Maingot’s Abdominal Operations. Volumes I and II (9th edition). Edited by Seymour I. Schwartz and Harold Ellis with Wendy Cowles Husser. Norwalk, CT: Appleton and Lange, 1989. f ,698 pages. $195
This two-volume textbook, edited by two renowned, knowledgeable, and active mentors in the field of surgery and surgical pedagogy, is the 9th edition of the famous Maingot’s Abdom-
370
THE AMERICAN
JOURNAL
inal Operations. Rapid advances have made this edition necessary only 4 years after the 8th edition. However, further progress, notably in laparoscopic surgery, has been made since this latest version went to print. In addition, researchers of adjuvant therapy in some fields of oncology are making rapid inroads, especially in esophageal, colonic, and rectal carcinoma. Another example of these advances is in the chapter on duodenal and gastric ulcer in which little is said about Taylor’s truncal posterior vagotomy and anterior seromyotomy. Figures to demonstrate this technique would be most welcome because it is becoming very popular in many parts of the world. The 2 volumes are divided into 81 individual chapters, grouped into 14 sections. Mixing chapters specifically on abdominal trauma and staplers essentially with an otherwise anatomic breakdown of chapters has unfortunately led to the repetition of a certain number of procedures. This is notably the case for colorectal anastomoses (chapter 5 1) and reconstruction procedures after gastrectomy (chapter 33), which are also found in chapter 54 (stapling techniques). Pancreatoduodenectomy is described in chapters 78 and 80. Although differences in dissection for malignant and benign disease are stressed, the reconstruction procedures are similar. Moreover, surprisingly little is said about the increasingly popular pylorus-saving procedures. The question of antibiotic prophylaxis is often either treated with very personal, unsupported views or minimized. This is a subject that has probably given rise to more discussion and publications than any one topic and is still widely debated. For instance, in the chapter on colonic preparation for elective surgery, mechanical preparation was treated in one (small) paragraph and antibiotic preparation in one (smaller) paragraph. The chapter on stapling techniques was written by the pioneers and world-renowned experts in the field. The diagrams are excellent and well known to all who have studied stapling techniques. There are, however, other stapling instruments, and, although mentioned, the use and improvements in the more modem ver-
OF SURGERY
VOLUME
167
MARCH
1994
sions of stapling instruments are not covered. The chapter on esophageal reflux is certainly one of the most comprehensive reviews of the subject and was written by one of the most well-known authorities in the field. However, pledgets are not used by everyone, and other techniques, such as total duodenal diversion, with wellspecified indications, should not be omitted. In the chapter on colectomy for carcinoma, little is written of the ‘no touch technique,” and is discussed nothing of initial ligature of venous return. The description of right colectomy is satisfactory, but the other colectomies deserve to be reviewed as completely. The chapter on choledochoduodenostomy is excellent. However, hepaticojejunostomy, which is only mentioned in the excellent chapter on benign biliary strictures, is an interesting and well-known alternative for biliary lithiasis. The chapter on ultrasound is remarkable. Nonetheless, intraoperative ultrasound deserves a larger space. The chapter on intestinal anastomosis makes several sound observations and is well illustrated. Although a small detail, it is surprising to find colonic anastomosis in section VII, which is devoted to the small intestine. This may confuse and lead astray the reader who is looking specifically for the techniques of colonic anastomosis and does not find them in sections VIII and IX, which specifically discuss the large (colon and rectum) intestine. The chapter on hernia (chapter 11) is one of the best I’ve seen in textbooks of this kind. However, with the wide array of techniques shown, it is disappointing to not find a demonstration of the techniques of Bassini and MacVay, still two of the most widely used techniques in the world today. As stated by the authors, local anesthesia is widely used for the cure of inguinal hernia: the technique of infiltration might be shown here. Although written by one of leading experts in the world and certainly one of the most outstanding contributors to modem medicine, the chapter on acute pancreatitis might include more on biliary pancreatitis and the contributions from Great Britain. Indeed, one overall criticism that may be made for several chapters is
Urologic Endoscopic Surgery. By Erich Matouschek. Philadelphia: BC Decker, 1989. 273 pages. $89.50
Urologic Endoscopic Surgery, originally published in 1987 in a German edition, was translated and edited at the University of Iowa. The English edition lacks some of the treatment options published in the original text, due to the differences in German and American medical insurance systems. The chapters on equipment, irrigation solutions, lubricants, and pressure studies in the urinary tract are informative and interesting. Although some of the physics formulas may not be geared to the clinical urologist, endourologic surgery is covered comprehensively and complemented by outstanding four-color endoscopic photography. Although a single-author book, some topics are repeated in subsequent chapters. The opinions expressed are not always those of prevalent practice, as in chapter 9, in which Dr. Matouschek indicates further evaluation and possible treatment before discharge for patients whose urinary flow rate is less than 20 mL/sec if there is residual urine after transurethal resection of the prostate. The complete text offers a comprehensive view of urologic endoscopic surgery. The impressive illustrations of endoscopic procedures will make it an excellent addition to medical libraries and recommended reading for residents. The color reproductions clearly justify the volume’s cost. Mohammud Amin Division of Urology University of Louisville L.ouisville, KY
Maingot’s Abdominal Operations. Volumes I and II (9th edition). Edited by Seymour I. Schwartz and Harold Ellis with Wendy Cowles Husser. Norwalk, CT: Appleton and Lange, 1989. f ,698 pages. $195
This two-volume textbook, edited by two renowned, knowledgeable, and active mentors in the field of surgery and surgical pedagogy, is the 9th edition of the famous Maingot’s Abdom-
370
THE AMERICAN
JOURNAL
inal Operations. Rapid advances have made this edition necessary only 4 years after the 8th edition. However, further progress, notably in laparoscopic surgery, has been made since this latest version went to print. In addition, researchers of adjuvant therapy in some fields of oncology are making rapid inroads, especially in esophageal, colonic, and rectal carcinoma. Another example of these advances is in the chapter on duodenal and gastric ulcer in which little is said about Taylor’s truncal posterior vagotomy and anterior seromyotomy. Figures to demonstrate this technique would be most welcome because it is becoming very popular in many parts of the world. The 2 volumes are divided into 81 individual chapters, grouped into 14 sections. Mixing chapters specifically on abdominal trauma and staplers essentially with an otherwise anatomic breakdown of chapters has unfortunately led to the repetition of a certain number of procedures. This is notably the case for colorectal anastomoses (chapter 5 1) and reconstruction procedures after gastrectomy (chapter 33), which are also found in chapter 54 (stapling techniques). Pancreatoduodenectomy is described in chapters 78 and 80. Although differences in dissection for malignant and benign disease are stressed, the reconstruction procedures are similar. Moreover, surprisingly little is said about the increasingly popular pylorus-saving procedures. The question of antibiotic prophylaxis is often either treated with very personal, unsupported views or minimized. This is a subject that has probably given rise to more discussion and publications than any one topic and is still widely debated. For instance, in the chapter on colonic preparation for elective surgery, mechanical preparation was treated in one (small) paragraph and antibiotic preparation in one (smaller) paragraph. The chapter on stapling techniques was written by the pioneers and world-renowned experts in the field. The diagrams are excellent and well known to all who have studied stapling techniques. There are, however, other stapling instruments, and, although mentioned, the use and improvements in the more modem ver-
OF SURGERY
VOLUME
167
MARCH
1994
sions of stapling instruments are not covered. The chapter on esophageal reflux is certainly one of the most comprehensive reviews of the subject and was written by one of the most well-known authorities in the field. However, pledgets are not used by everyone, and other techniques, such as total duodenal diversion, with wellspecified indications, should not be omitted. In the chapter on colectomy for carcinoma, little is written of the ‘no touch technique,” and is discussed nothing of initial ligature of venous return. The description of right colectomy is satisfactory, but the other colectomies deserve to be reviewed as completely. The chapter on choledochoduodenostomy is excellent. However, hepaticojejunostomy, which is only mentioned in the excellent chapter on benign biliary strictures, is an interesting and well-known alternative for biliary lithiasis. The chapter on ultrasound is remarkable. Nonetheless, intraoperative ultrasound deserves a larger space. The chapter on intestinal anastomosis makes several sound observations and is well illustrated. Although a small detail, it is surprising to find colonic anastomosis in section VII, which is devoted to the small intestine. This may confuse and lead astray the reader who is looking specifically for the techniques of colonic anastomosis and does not find them in sections VIII and IX, which specifically discuss the large (colon and rectum) intestine. The chapter on hernia (chapter 11) is one of the best I’ve seen in textbooks of this kind. However, with the wide array of techniques shown, it is disappointing to not find a demonstration of the techniques of Bassini and MacVay, still two of the most widely used techniques in the world today. As stated by the authors, local anesthesia is widely used for the cure of inguinal hernia: the technique of infiltration might be shown here. Although written by one of leading experts in the world and certainly one of the most outstanding contributors to modem medicine, the chapter on acute pancreatitis might include more on biliary pancreatitis and the contributions from Great Britain. Indeed, one overall criticism that may be made for several chapters is