Brown’s Atlas of Regional Anesthesia, 6th Edition

By Ehab Farag & Loran Mounir-Soliman 

ISBN: 9780323654357 

Pub Date: June 28, 2020 

Reviewed by: Robert R. Gaiser, MD (Yale School of Medicine)  

Description  

The book is a comprehensive review of regional anesthesia. It provides a thorough review of anatomy necessary for the safe performance of regional anesthesia. The book is well organized. Each block is easy to find as the blocks are organized based upon location within the body. The website resource is a valuable supplement as it includes actual ultrasound images to allow readers to identify ideal images. The previous edition was published in 2016 with the 2020 edition adding blocks for obstetric anesthesia. This book addresses blocks in pediatric and obstetric patients, accounting for their different physiology from an adult patient. 

Purpose  

The book is intended for those performing regional anesthesia. Each chapter is comprehensive, with an introduction to anatomy (with superb figures) and ultrasound images expected based on anatomy. The block is then presented including typical medications. Two valuable aspects to each block is the inclusion of key points and pearls. These words of wisdom from the experts enhance the learning as well as reassure the readers. The pearls address the questions that readers form while reading about the block. The web-based book includes videos of the actual block, thus complementing the written textbook. The objectives of comprehensiveness are achieved, making it possible to be the sole textbook owned by an individual performing regional anesthesia. 

Audience  

The audience for this textbook is students in anesthesia, as well as those who have completed training. The commonality is the performance of regional anesthesia. Prior to performing a block, this book will describe the appropriate equipment and anatomy and then present how to perform the block. This aspect is much needed. The inclusion of pearls appeals to the individual who has already performed the blocks and desires to improve performance. The book meets the needs of the audience. The authors are clearly experts in the performance of blocks, ensuring that all questions of the reader are addressed. 

Features  

This book begins with the basics of block performance. An individual must have a solid understanding of the physics of ultrasound and the pharmacology of local anesthetics. Both are addressed in an understandable fashion. The book transitions to blocks, which are very comprehensive with the blocks organized by specific body location. The inclusion of key points and pearls are invaluable in the successful performance and are welcome aspects to the chapters. The sections addressing pediatrics and obstetrics are outstanding as most textbooks fail to discuss the nuances of these populations. The obstetric anesthesia section is a welcome addition and is written by a leading obstetric anesthesiologist. The major negative to the textbook is the failure to include references. 

Assessment  

The book is important for those performing regional anesthesia. It is comprehensive and clear. The inclusion of videos in the eBook enhances the learning. This edition includes a section on obstetric anesthesia. While the section is interesting, it is similar to information in other obstetric anesthesia textbooks. 

© Doody’s Review Service, 2020, Robert R. Gaiser, MD (Yale School of Medicine) Doody’s Score: 90 – 4 Stars!  

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