General Surgical Operations

General Surgical Operations is a highly-praised and comprehensive textbook of operative surgery. It is a practical manual aimed at the surgeon who is about to carry out an operation, rather than just a description of the principles suitable for an examiner.

This book is aimed primarily at a trainee studying for the UK and Ireland Intercollegiate FRCS and equivalent examinations around the world. It is, however, also intended as a vade mecum for a trained surgeon anywhere, who is about to carry out an infrequently performed procedure, perhaps in emergency conditions. It will therefore serve as a useful reference manual for every surgeon.

This is a ‘What to do’ book. Using it the reader can aspire to gain diagnostic, decision making and operative surgical competence with confidence.

• Written in a clear and direct style with descriptive headings for easy reference.


• Includes advice on topics such as patient selection; preparation and access to the site of operation; how to accomplish the procedure; closing and aftercare.


• Difficulties are highlighted and advice given on how to respond to unexpected findings


• Each procedure is fully described thus avoiding repetitions and cutting cross-references to a minimum.


• Includes regular summaries of key points in decision making.

• A re-designed page presentation enhanced with two-colour printing.
• A more concise text with restructured contents.
• Many new illustrations

R. M. Kirk, MS, FRCS, Honorary Professor of Surgery, Royal Free and University College London; Honorary Consulting Surgeon, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK