an overview of diseases for which the respective strategies of therapy are used. This book is an excellent guide for clinicians work- ing in paediatrics, general practice, neurology and other specialities who encounter patients with inborn errors of metabolism. Ulrika von D ¨ obeln [email protected] DOI:10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.00908.x Pediatric anesthesia practice (Cambridge Pocket Clinician). Edited by Ronald S. Litman. Cambridge University Press, UK, Paperback, 228 pages, product dimensions 23 × 15 cm, weight 0.2 kg, ISBN 13: 9780521709378, price: $44.10. Our immediate impression of this book is that it is quite bor- ing to read. However, this is not meant to be a textbook, but rather a book in a convenient format to be brought along in the pocket of the busy doctor. Obviously, the content of the book is standardized, in fact to a degree that surprises us considering the high number of contributors. In our opinion, it is difficult to trace a variety of practises as expected from different authors. Thus, what is the point for this extensive list of authors? Even as a pocket book, we respectfully have to point out some deficiencies. First, there should be a list of all abbreviations used. Second, important terms like ‘awake extubation’, ‘deep intubation’ and ‘fully awake’ should be accounted for. Then, we miss an index even though the content is arranged in an alphabetical order. Finally, the dosages of all, and not only a few medications should be reported. Further, topics like postextubation hypoxia due to fre- quently occurring events like laryngeal spasms and more rare, but still underestimated phenomenon, like postob- structive pulmonary oedema (POPE) should be explained. The risk of developing pseudohypoaldosteronism in infants due to obstructive uropathy should be discussed in light of the high frequency of genital–urinary surgery in children. The division of the book into coexisting diseases, surgical procedures and regional anaesthesia is pedagogical, but to avoid unnecessary repetitions, conditions requiring surgery should not be sorted under coexisting diseases. By the way, the part on regional anaesthesia is so insufficient that it could as well be omitted. Finally, we strongly oppose the recommendation of re- placing an oral tube with a nasal tube in the initial phase of epiglottis. We also respectfully question the statement that controlled ventilation should be equivalent to spontaneous ventilation in case of foreign body in lower airways. On the contrary, we would stress the risk of collapse of lower airways due to Bernoulli’s effect by converting to controlled ventilation. To conclude, we do not recommend this book as a ref- erence book in paediatric anaesthesia, neither as a pocket book. It is insufficient in both cases. Ole Georg Vinorum [email protected] Paal Helge H Lindenskov [email protected] C 2008 The Author/Journal Compilation C 2008 Foundation Acta Pædiatrica/Acta Pædiatrica 2008 97, pp. 1308–1310 1309

Pediatric anesthesia practice (Cambridge Pocket Clinician) edited by Ronald S. Litman

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Page 1: Pediatric anesthesia practice (Cambridge Pocket Clinician) edited by Ronald S. Litman

an overview of diseases for which the respective strategiesof therapy are used.

This book is an excellent guide for clinicians work-ing in paediatrics, general practice, neurology and other

specialities who encounter patients with inborn errors ofmetabolism.

Ulrika von [email protected]

DOI:10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.00908.x

Pediatric anesthesia practice (Cambridge PocketClinician). Edited by Ronald S. Litman. CambridgeUniversity Press, UK, Paperback, 228 pages, productdimensions 23 × 15 cm, weight 0.2 kg, ISBN 13:9780521709378, price: $44.10.

Our immediate impression of this book is that it is quite bor-ing to read. However, this is not meant to be a textbook, butrather a book in a convenient format to be brought alongin the pocket of the busy doctor. Obviously, the content ofthe book is standardized, in fact to a degree that surprises usconsidering the high number of contributors. In our opinion,it is difficult to trace a variety of practises as expected fromdifferent authors. Thus, what is the point for this extensivelist of authors? Even as a pocket book, we respectfully haveto point out some deficiencies. First, there should be a list ofall abbreviations used. Second, important terms like ‘awakeextubation’, ‘deep intubation’ and ‘fully awake’ should be

accounted for. Then, we miss an index even though the con-tent is arranged in an alphabetical order. Finally, the dosagesof all, and not only a few medications should be reported.

Further, topics like postextubation hypoxia due to fre-quently occurring events like laryngeal spasms and morerare, but still underestimated phenomenon, like postob-structive pulmonary oedema (POPE) should be explained.The risk of developing pseudohypoaldosteronism in infantsdue to obstructive uropathy should be discussed in light ofthe high frequency of genital–urinary surgery in children.The division of the book into coexisting diseases, surgicalprocedures and regional anaesthesia is pedagogical, but toavoid unnecessary repetitions, conditions requiring surgeryshould not be sorted under coexisting diseases. By the way,the part on regional anaesthesia is so insufficient that it couldas well be omitted.

Finally, we strongly oppose the recommendation of re-placing an oral tube with a nasal tube in the initial phase ofepiglottis. We also respectfully question the statement thatcontrolled ventilation should be equivalent to spontaneousventilation in case of foreign body in lower airways. On thecontrary, we would stress the risk of collapse of lower air-ways due to Bernoulli’s effect by converting to controlledventilation.

To conclude, we do not recommend this book as a ref-erence book in paediatric anaesthesia, neither as a pocketbook. It is insufficient in both cases.

Ole Georg [email protected]

Paal Helge H [email protected]