Book reviews

Plastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery: an Atlas G . Lemperle, J . Nievergelt. 200 x 275 mm. Pp. 192. Illustraied. 1991. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer- Verlag. DM298.

Although this atlas contains numerous well produced colour pictures of the full range of plastic and reconstructive procedures of value in breast disease, it is unfortunate that the text strays into the field of oncology. The statement that ‘complete removal of the mammary gland is always indicated for cancerous and precancerous disease’ is totally unsupported by the literature and unacceptable. Advice that ‘general anaesthesia is indicated in any patient with a breast lump where there is the least suspicion of malignancy’ betrays a disturbing lack of knowledge of currently available non-operative diagnostic techniques. There are also other areas of concern that include recommending unilateral mastectomy for localized lobular carcinoma in situ.

Some illustrations refer to historical procedures and this appears to have restricted the space available for many of the more sophisticated techniques used today. There certainly should have been greater discussion and more detail about the rectus abdominis flap. Having said this, many topics are well covered and it is clear from reading the book that the authors have a wealth of experience.

As the investigation and treatment of invasive and non-invasive breast cancer recommended by the authors are not consistent with current informed opinion, this book will at the very least confuse readers and may actually mislead them.

J. M. Dixon Department of Surgery The Royal Infirmary Edinburgh EH3 9 Y W UK

Clinical Measurement in Coloproctology D . Kumar, D . J . Waldron, N . S . Williams (eds) . 197 x 276 mm. Pp. 230. Illustrated. 1991. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer- Verlag. DM 180.

This well presented book sets out to bring physiological assessment of the colon, rectum and anal canal into the remit of the non-specialist clinician. Many of the complexities of the investigative techniques are concisely explained in the opening section and will lead to a greater appreciation among readers in general about the importance of this expanding field, both in elucidating the underlying pathophysiology of disorders and in the physiological rationale behind advances in their treatment. For the specialist there are succinct accounts of the latest investigative processes at the advancing borders of this field. One criticism might be that the accepted standard and the highly specialized investigations are intermixed; the distinction is not always clear. In fact, a good opportunity to include a chapter on the arrangement of a basic physiological laboratory has been missed and this does detract slightly from the overall effect. The value of the investigative techniques is, however, highlighted by the sections on coloproctological disorders and postoperative function, all written by experts in their fields. The explanations in these sections add greatly to the value of the book by integrating the results of investigations into clinical practice.

Overall this book should enjoy a wide readership and successfully fill a major gap in the literature. It is highly recommended to trainees and general clinicians with an interest in coloproctology and contains many areas of interest to the specialist coloproctologist.

D. C. C. Bartolo

Department of Surgery The Royal Infirmary Edinburgh EH3 9 Y W UK

Multiple Organ Failure: Patient Care and Prevention A . E. Baue. 185 x 272 mm. Pp. 574. Illustrated. 1990. St Louis: Mosby- Year Book. €59.25.

This textbook is a single-author work, with the exception of a short chapter written by the author’s wife. Single authorship is perhaps a little surprising given the subject matter of the book but it would be difficult to imagine an individual better qualified for the task: Arthur E. Baue first described a syndrome of multiple, sequential, or progressive systems of organ failure in 1975. The author tells us that the book grew from a series of lectures backed up by a perspective of the literature, which he gained working for 12 years as editor of Archives of Surgery.

The text is divided into six main sections. The first describes the biological response to injury and is followed by a section detailing surgical factors in the perioperative period that may set the scene for multiple organ failure. The third section deals specifically with trauma. Section 4 comprises a lengthy description of dysfunction in individual organ systems while the final two sections deal with multiple organ failure itself.

The general style of the text is conversational, making for easy reading. It is probably fair to say that the publication date, together with single authorship, have contributed to a relative lack of up-to-date references when describing some aspects of the multiple organ failure syndrome. This is perhaps most obvious when reading descriptions of areas in which rapid advances are currently being made, notably the immunotherapy of sepsis and prevention of infection. This is not a suitable text for the research fellow or student looking for up-to-date referencing in the field of multiple organ failure. However, it is an excellent and very readable overview of the subject, focused from a surgical viewpoint.

G. Ramsay

Department of Surgery Western Infirmary Glasgow G11 6NT UK

Pancreatic Disease - Progress and Prospects C. D . Johnson, C . W . Imrie (eds) . 167 x 248 mm. Pp. 380. Illustrated. 1991. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer- Verlag. D M 146.

The editors of this book have persuaded the speakers at a recent meeting to contribute chapters written as up-to-date reviews in areas of pancreatic disease where progress has been made. The result is a stimulating collection of readable chapters that cover a wide spectrum of pancreatic problems including cystic fibrosis, pancreatic surgery in childhood and pancreatic transplantation. Pancreatitis and pancreatic malignancy are well represented with contributions including practical guidance in surgery and therapeutic endoscopy and radiology. The chapters are concise, appropriately illustrated and well referenced. The views expressed are impressively up to date and the editors are to be congratulated on producing the book so quickly. The contents span the interests of several disciplines and I am certain that the book will appeal to all those with an interest in pancreatic disease. Readers will undoubtedly find something to stimulate further their interest in pancreatic problems.

W. R. Murray

Glasgow Royal Injirmary Glasgow G4 OSF UK

722 Br. J. Surg., Vol. 79, No. 7, July1992