AORN JOURNAL APRIL 1994, VOL 59. NO 4

Book Reviews

SURGICAL

Current Surgical Diagnosis & Treatment, 10th edition Edited by Lawrence W . Way 1994,1,426 p p $39.95 paperback

This book is an excellent source of information about diseases managed by surgeons. References to current journal literature are pro- vided for the reader who wishes to explore spe- cific subjects in greater detail.

This book is organized by organ system. Beginning chapters provide general informa- tion about the relationship between surgeons and their patients and discuss surgical prepara- tion, postoperative care, and surgical complica- tions. Chapter five addresses the problems of medically ill patients who require surgery, and chapter six summarizes the surgeon’s legal obligations and tort law.

Other chapters discuss wound healing, inflammation, infection, antibiotics, fluid and electrolyte management, surgical metabolism and nutrition, anesthesia and shock, and acute pulmonary failure. Chapter 13 discusses trauma management, and chapter 14 summarizes bum management.

The last section of the book focuses on body systems. Pediatric surgery, oncology, cancer chemotherapy, and organ transplantation also are addressed in the main text. The appendix contains reference material on chemical analysis of body fluids, therapeutic serum level medica- tions, and schedules of controlled medications.

Nursing students and medical students may find this book to be an authoritative introduc-

tion to surgery as it is taught and practiced at major teaching institutions. Medical and nurs- ing practitioners may refer to the concise dis- cussions of diseases they manage daily as well as other diseases. Practicing surgeons may use this book as a guide to the most current man- agement strategies.

This book is revised and updated biennially. This edition contains two rewritten chapters and five revised chapters.

This book is available from Appleton & Lange, 25 Van Zant St, E Norwalk, CT 06855.

KAREN RICHARDSON, RN, BSN, CNOR STAFF NURSE/OR

JOHN T. MATHER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL PORT JEFFERSON. NY

Surgical Technology: Principles and Practice, third edition By Joanna R . Fuller 1 9 9 4 , 7 1 2 ~ ~ $49.50 hardcover

This well-written book provides comprehensive coverage of the role and aspects of OR patient care from the surgical technologist’s point of view. Each chapter is written in a logical manner with learning objectives followed by discussions. Study questions and bibliographies are at the end of each chapter. The text is written on a technical level and incorporates proper OR techniques.

The book’s organization is appropriate for the learner who is new to the OR. Each aspect of appropriate care is addressed in a manner that facilitates learning and retaining the material. Sterility, instrument care, appropriate team con- cepts, roles, and procedures are discussed. Procedures are addressed in a system-by-system,

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