A Practice of Anesthesia for Infants and Children, 7th Edition

By: Charles J. Cote, MD, FAAP; Jerrold Lerman, MD, FRCPC, FANZCA; Brian J. Anderson, MD, ChB, PhD, FANZCA, FCICM

ISBN: 9780323825603

Publication Date: July 21, 2024

Reviewer: Bartlomiej Bartkowiak, MD, PhD (Yale School of Medicine)

Description

Drawing on the expertise of over 100 contributors from around the globe, this book is an excellent up-to-date reference for pediatric anesthesiology. This update to previous edition, published in 2018, reflects a commitment to quality–from the thoughtfully organized, easy-to-navigate text to the high-quality images, figures, and extensive digital content (including more than 100 videos and an interactive ebook with hyperlinks for quick and easy referencing). It will aid in understanding fundamentals or delving into a specific aspect of the subspecialty.

Purpose

Pediatric anesthesiology has rapidly evolved over the past decade, with significant advancements in clinical practice and understanding of pediatric physiology and pharmacology. Given the amount of new information, a well-organized and up-to-date reference that highlights the advances and key questions in the field is essential; this book fulfills this need with class.

Audience

The book effectively targets a broad audience, making it suitable for medical students, residents, and advanced practitioners alike. Thanks to its intuitive organization, it is easy to locate specific topics of interest. The chapters are progressing smoothly from general principles to clinical applications, facilitating a solid knowledge foundation for learners while also offering experienced practitioners an overview of the latest developments and future directions in the field.

Features

Organized into ten sections, the book covers introductory topics (preoperative considerations and ethical issues), drug and fluid therapy, pain management, and anesthetic and surgical issues broadly organized by organ systems. Chapters co-authored by pediatric subspecialists and pediatric anesthesiologists lead each of these sections, offering a comprehensive review with a clinically focused perspective. The book is thorough without being redundant, with clear efforts by the editors to maintain cohesion. Notably, the editors contribute to nearly a third of the 50 chapters, ensuring a unified tone throughout.

Furthermore, a host of digital content including an extensively hyperlinked ebook and additional figures, tables, and videos supplement the book. The only minor criticism is the absence of a dedicated chapter or figure summarizing neonatal syndromes. Although these syndromes are covered throughout the book, a synopsis summarizing the presentations and associated anesthetic considerations would have been helpful.

Assessment

This book should be available, either physically or digitally, to every pediatric anesthesiologist. It is a high-quality resource that respects the readers’ time and effort. While the overall structure and approach may not be groundbreaking, the content is well-organized and cohesive, despite contributions from numerous experts. Although most will likely use this book as a reference, it is unexpectedly engaging to read through the chapters. The accompanying videos greatly enhance the chapters on pediatric airway and regional anesthesiology. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for both practicing anesthesiologists and those studying pediatric anesthesiology, offering insights that will enhance their knowledge and skills.

©Doody’s Review Service, 2024, Bartlomiej Bartkowiak, MD, PhD (Yale School of Medicine), Doody’s Score: 91 – 4 Stars!

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