(Part of the series on Operative Techniques)
Editor: Mary T. Hawn, MD. Series Editor: Michael W. Mulholland, MD
Publisher: Wolters Kluwer | Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins – 372 pages
Book Review by: Nano Khilnani

Foregut surgery is not only complex and technically demanding, it is also rapidly evolving as new techniques tried for better results, savings of effort and time, are adopted, the editors of this important volume point out.

Certainly there are other textbooks available – on general, thoracic, transplant, and vascular surgery – that cover a range of procedures, but this book is comprehensive because it not only covers open operations and laparoscopic procedures, it also presents robotic and other alternative or complementary approaches.

Sixty-three contributors (60 from the United States, two from Canada and one from Belgium) who are all doctors of medicine and most are surgeons in various specialties, wrote the chapters of this highly useful book, which contains 38 chapters on a larger range of subjects. It is organized around 11 sections namely:

  1. Treatment of Paraesophageal Hernias
  2. Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux
  3. Treatment of Achalasia
  4. Treatment of Barrett’s Esophagus and Early Esophageal Cancer
  5. Treatment of Esophageal Cancer
  6. Treatment of Esophageal Perforation
  7. Surgery of the Stomach and Duodenum
  8. Bariatric Operations
  9. Surgery of the Biliary System
  10. Surgery of the Spleen
  11. Surgery of the Abdominal Wall

This book is amply illustrated with fine, detailed, full-color line art as well photographs of not only surgical procedures but also of various instruments and tools. Other types of graphics are also used to impart information, such as: charts, computed tomography (CT) scans, and tables. There are also various black-and-white barium scans, ultrasound images, and x-rays.

The arrangement and presentation of materials makes for easy study and retention of information. Within the chapters you will find most of the components we enumerative below. Let’s take a look at what you will find in chapter 2, Collis Gastroplasty. In the Techniques subsection, illustrations and steps are provided.

  • Definition
  • Differential Diagnosis
  • Patient History and Physical Findings
  • Imaging and Other Diagnostic Studies
  • Surgical Management:
    • Pre-Operative Planning
    • Positioning
  • Techniques
    • Measurement of Gastroplasty
    • Intraabdominal Retraction and Bougie Replacement
    • First Staple Trajectory
    • Second Staple Trajectory
    • Removal of the Stomach Wedge
    • Completion of the Fundoplication
  • Pearls and Pitfalls
  • Postoperative Care
  • Outcomes
  • Complications
  • References

The entire contents of the print edition are available for download as an eBook. Follow these simple steps:

  1. Go to http://solution.lww.com/access
  2. Enter the Access Code found on the inside front cover of this book
  3. Enter your information, click Submit, and follow the on-screen instructions to start reading your eBook

Your book purchase includes not only a complimentary download of the enhanced eBook for iOS, Android, PC and Mac, but also includes these features:

  • Complete content with enhanced navigation
  • Powerful search tools and smart navigation cross-links that pull results from content in the book, your notes, and even the web
  • Cross-linked pages, references, and more for easy navigation
  • Highlighting tool for easier reference of key content throughout the text
  • Ability to take and share notes with friends and colleagues
  • Quick reference tabbing to save your favorite content for future use

Some of the benefits of using this book are the following:

  • Master the full range of essential procedures with comprehensive coverage of paraesophageal hernia surgery, GERD treatment of esophageal cancer and esophageal perforation, surgery of the stomach and duodenum, bariatric operations, and surgery of the gall bladder, spleen, and abdominal wall.
  • Select the best open or minimally invasive approach for each patient with balance coverage of the available options.
  • Now with the print edition, enjoy the bundled interactive eBook edition, which can be downloaded to your tablet and smart phone. or accessed online that includes the features like
  • Complete content with enhanced navigation.
  • A powerful search tool and smart navigation cross-links that pull results from contents in the book, your notes, and even the web.
  • Highlighting tool for easy reference of key content throughout the text.
  • Ability to take and share notes with friends and colleagues.
  • Quick reference tabbing to save your favorite content for future use.

This is an excellent textbook on operative techniques pertaining to the organs in the foregut area. It is well-organized, easy to read and understand and very practical to use and learn from. The editors and authors have done a marvelous job in putting together the information and resources in this valuable book.

Editor:

Mary T. Hawn, MD, MPH is Professor and Chief of Gastrointestinal Surgery in the Department of Surgery in the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery at the University of Alabama, Birmingham School of Medicine in Birmingham, Alabama.

Series Editor and Editor-in-Chief:

Michael W. Mulholland, MD PhD is Professor of Surgery and Chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, Michigan.