Preface

Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Surgery is a ready source of information about diseases managed by surgeons. Like other books in the Lange series, it emphasizes quick recall of major diagnostic features and brief descriptions of disease processes, followed by approaches for definitive diagnosis and treatment. Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and pathology are discussed to the extent that they contribute to the ultimate purpose of the book, which is guidance for patient care. About one-third of the book is focused on general medical and surgical topics important in the management of all patients.

The book also includes limited current references to journal literature for the reader who wishes to pursue specific additional detail. Because of the concise nature of this text, more focused exploration may be useful to gain detail in specific areas.

To maintain currency of the information, this text is revised and updated frequently. The most recent edition was published in 2010. With each revision, particular subjects are completely, substantially, partially, or minimally rewritten as indicated by the progress in each field. New authors and chapters are introduced for the text as needed.

This edition includes major revisions of many chapters, and entirely new chapters on:

• Infection, Inflammation, & Antibiotics

• Thoracic Wall, Pleura, Mediastinum, & Lung

• Pancreas

• Large Intestine

• Small Intestine

• Students: This is an authoritative introduction to surgery as the discipline is taught and practiced at major teaching institutions.

• Residents: This is a ready reference for concise discussions of the diseases faced each day, as well as the less common ones calling for quick study.

• Medical practitioners: Those who have occasion to counsel patients needing surgical referrals appreciate the concise readability of this book.

• Practicing surgeons: A most useful guide to current management strategies.

This book is arranged chiefly by organ system. Early chapters provide general information about the relationship between surgeons and their patients (Chapter 1), training and professionalism (Chapter 2), preoperative care (Chapter 3), postoperative care (Chapter 4), and surgical complications (Chapter 5). Subsequent chapters deal with wound healing, inflammation, infection, antibiotics, fluid and electrolyte management, and surgical metabolism and nutrition. The main series of body systems topics begins with the chapter on head and neck tumors and ends with the chapter on hand surgery. Further chapters on pediatric surgery, oncology, and organ transplantation complete the coverage.

Along with the customary revision of all sections as called for by changing concepts in each field covered, in this edition, multiple choice questions and answers have been added to supplement each chapter.

The editor and contributors continue to acknowledge their gratitude to J. Englebert Dunphy, MD, for the inspiration to begin the first edition of this text, and his lifetime of service to the practice and teaching of surgery, and to Lawrence W. Way, the long-time editor of editions 2 through 12, and conscience of the UCSF surgical training program. I have witnessed that same dedication to surgical students and trainees from faculty members at Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Michigan, and now at Boston University and Boston Medical Center, as well as at dozens of other universities and hospitals that I have visited. At each institution, I have appreciated the diligence and curiosity of our trainees, but I have admired none more than our present group at Boston Medical Center.

I am particularly grateful for the important contributions that the staff at McGraw-Hill has made to ensuring an accurate, high-quality text. In particular, Brian Belval has been extremely supportive and helpful. I am also grateful to colleagues and readers who have offered comments and criticisms to guide preparation for future editions. I hope that anyone with an idea, suggestion, or criticism regarding this book will contact me.

Finally, I thank my wife, Faith Cuenin, and our children Kevin and Megan for their constant love and support.