The Surgery Book : An Illustrated Guide to 73 of the Most Common Operations

Illustrating, in more than 350 step-by-step drawings, and comprehensively explaining seventy-five common operations, a leading surgeon answers questions, provides details, and calms anxieties about what to expect from these procedures.

Individuals who'd like a preview of what to expect in the operating room will clamor for this useful book. Using medical terms judiciously, Youngson, a surgeon, demystifies 75 of the most commonly performed operations. His clear, "step-by-step" descriptions are bracketed by brief remarks explaining why the operation is usually recommended, what can be accomplished, and how one will feel in post-op and over the long term. More than 350 drawings buttress the words, pinpointing areas affected by the surgery and clarifying certain aspects of the procedures themselves. Youngson prefaces it all with a reassuring overview of what one can expect at the hospital "before, during, and after." Not everyone will be happy to learn that a surgeon's equipment can include a power saw and acrylic cement, or that complications are possible and pain is likely, but many patients-to-be or their friends and family will find such forthrightness welcome. Stephanie Zvirin

A surgeon and author, Youngson presents a selection of brief but well-illustrated descriptions of common surgical procedures. Topics range from cosmetic surgery to heart/lung transplants. The first four chapters cover hospital routines, preoperative testing, transfusions and transplants, and the operating room. Procedures are outlined, with Youngson explaining why an operation is needed, how it is done, what to expect during recovery, and long-term effects. Readers looking for an overview will be satisfied with this book. Others seeking more detailed information may wish to consult Charles Inlander's Good Operations, Bad Operations ( LJ 7/93), which provides more discussion of risks with and alternatives to particular surgical procedures. Recommended for larger family health collections.
- Anne C. Tomlin, Auburn Memorial Hosp. Lib., N.Y.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.