Shackelford’s Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, 8th Edition
ISBN: 9780323402323
Pub Date: 2/16/2018
Reviewed by: Peter Nau, MD, MS, FACS (University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics)
Description
As stated in the title, this book addresses all aspects of surgery on the gastrointestinal tract. It is unique in its focus strictly on the GI tract as well as its breadth of discussion of each organ system from the anatomy and physiology to the critical steps of a given operation. It comes complete with a smartphone or tablet compatible version of the two volume print version. This update comes five years after the previous edition of 2013.
Purpose
The purpose is to provide a go-to resource on gastrointestinal surgery. In an era where books are being eschewed in favor of up-to-date literature, this one remains a relevant and arguably necessary resource for all practicing GI or general surgeons and senior surgery residents. The authors have added value by making it available in an easy to use tablet and smartphone-friendly format.
Audience
The audience is senior residents or newly minted GI surgeons. The authors are successful in providing a book with the relevant anatomy and physiology without getting bogged down in the nonclinical details. The chapters have well-done treatment algorithms including operative steps. The authors are all respected experts in their given fields, lending an important element of credibility to the work.
Features
This book is the logical next step after the broad, but more basic-science focused books, such as Sabiston Textbook of Surgery: The Biological Basis of Modern Surgical Practice, 20th edition, Townsend et al. (Elsevier, 2017), Greenfield’s Surgery: Scientific Principles and Practice, 6th edition, Mulholland et al. (Wolters Kluwer, 2017). The best part is that each chapter thoroughly discusses the relevant anatomy and physiology, moves on to the important testing of each organ system along with interpretations of the results, and then finally focuses on the treatment options, including nonoperative choices. The organization is clear and progresses naturally in each section. There appear to be very few shortcomings as the book was very thoughtfully developed.
Assessment
This is, simply, my favorite GI surgery book. I found it valuable as a senior resident, and I anticipate that it will be valuable in the future as the landscape of surgery changes. The foresight to include new surgical technologies, such as the POEM or the Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation Device (Linx), underscores the authors’ commitment to remaining current rather than focusing just on the tried and true surgical options. This is a complete book which, while perhaps lacking some of the more detailed molecular level information found in others, is an excellent resource for practicing surgeons or senior residents seeking to become expert in the field of GI surgery.
Doody’s Review Service Weighted Numerical Score: 94 – 4 Stars!
Good book for medical student and surgeon.