Reviewer: Irena Gribovskaja-Rupp, MD (University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics)
Description: An amazing addition to any operating surgeon's or trainee's bookshelf, this is a comprehensive review of most abdominal, anorectal, laparoscopic, robotic, and endoscopic techniques used worldwide by colorectal surgeons. Reflecting technological advances in the field, this edition features 39 more chapters than the previous edition of 1994. Chapters are succinct and to the point, making them easy to read in minutes, and the illustrations are of very high quality and clarity. The website offers easy access to the entire contents of the book and the ability to highlight, write notes, and link easily to figures and access references in PubMed. It also includes the ability to download to most portable mobile devices.
Purpose: The purpose is to illustrate and explain the most current techniques used in colon and rectal surgery. The objective is met spectacularly in this book, which does not disappoint with its clear delivery, classic diagrams of anatomy and dissection, and many photographs pertinent to live surgery. The online format adds ease of access.
Audience: The audience is broad, and the book is appropriate for those at all stages of training, from aspiring resident surgeons striving to comprehend anatomy and technique to seasoned surgeons looking to review newer techniques. For colon and rectal surgeons, this surgical atlas is an easy reference for procedures done daily and rarely. It meets the needs of the audience beautifully. The authors are world-renowned authorities.
Features: The first section covers general principles of access to the abdominal cavity, anastomotic techniques, and specimen handling. The second section addresses endoscopy, treatment of hemorrhoid disease, fistula, fissure, anal neoplasia, and pilonidal disease. The third section is dedicated to stomas, while the fourth deals with small bowel surgery, including stricturoplasty. The fifth section covers operative techniques of the colon, including laparoscopy, open technique, hand-assist laparoscopy, and colonic stenting. The sixth section details the operative approach to the rectum, including open, laparoscopic, and robotic anterior resection, techniques for pelvic exenteration, restorative procedures for inflammatory bowel disease, transanal surgery, presacral resections, and approaches to Hirschsprung's disease. The seventh section explains VRAM, Martius, and local advancement flaps for perineal reconstruction, while the last two sections provide details of operative techniques for rectal prolapse (including perineal, abdominal, and ventral rectopexies) and operative approaches to incontinence (SNS, sphincteroplasty, artificial sphincter). The book covers surgical techniques and general principles, including port placement and patient positioning, very well. Some details are not covered, such as special stapling devices, suturing devices for endoanal surgery, energy devices for dissection, and assistive operative devices. Operative techniques in modern colon and rectal surgery are covered comprehensively, except for transanal TME, which is gaining popularity and gathering outcome data, but lacks level I or II non-inferiority data. As an operative atlas, this book has excellent illustrations and details of operative techniques. The best feature is the excellent topic organization and flow, along with the clear demonstrations using photographs and diagrams.
Assessment: This is a spectacular and comprehensive operative colon and rectal surgery atlas with excellent diagrams and photographs and step-by-step instructions, authored by experts from around the world. There are several other colon and rectal surgery operative atlases, but the major advantage of this one is the complete coverage of current procedures and techniques and the quality of the illustrations.
