Physiologic Basis of Modern Surgical Care

The fourth edition of this widely used reference text of pediatric surgery certainly lives up to the golden standards of the earlier editions. This large, two-volume work is composed of monographs from 149 pediatric surgeons, most of whom are experts in their fields. The five editors have done a superb job of compiling such a massive amount of information and have, for the most part, refined the material into an attractive and informative reference work. Thirty-three new sections have been added since the last edition, including a streamlining of earlier lengthy sections on cardiac surgery, orthopedics, and neurosurgery. As a result, some excellent additions have been made in transplantation, prenatal diagnostic techniques, and prenatal support. All in all, these changes support the general focus of pediatric surgery today. Some minor criticisms are bound to occur with a work of this magnitude. In many chapters, the illustrations and photographs are overused and of poor quality. As well, other sections are too lightly treated to be considered of use for a critical reader of the field. Nevertheless, these criticisms are minor and do not affect the overall strength of this text. In short, these volumes are a welcome and superb upgrading of a classic text of pediatric surgery. In spite of rapidly changing areas of pediaric surgery, this work should serve as a valued reference for many surgeons in the years to come.