Textbook of Surgery [antikvár]

PREFACE It is astonishing with how Uttle reading a doctor can practice medicine, but it is not astonishing how badly he may do it. Sir William Osler In planning the thirteenth edition, a firm commitment has again been made to assuring a thorough and complete text in the broad field of surgery. The traditional policy of seeking the most authoritative contributors for each section has been maintained, and in the present edition there are 49 new contributors. Each of these new participants is clearly identified as a major contributor to both the clinical and the investigative aspects of the subject. Many new illustrations have been added, pursuing the firm conviction that such are essential for a thorough understanding of clinical problems and their diagnosis and management. Since the publication of the last edition, numerous advances have been made in the field of general surgery and the surgical specialties and these have required careful and diligent updating. These new contributions have been added to each chapter, and the references have been thoroughly reviewed and made current. Emphasis has once again been placed upon beginning each section with a brief but pertinent historical survey with an orderly stepwise presentation of the anatomic, pathologic, physiologic, biochemical, immunologic, and pharmacologic aspects of each subject. In addition to the new contributors, six new sections have been introduced in order to remain abreast of the rapid pace of surgical progress. These include: "Surgical Comphcations of Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension" by J. Michael Henderson and W. Dean Warren; "Vascular Access Procedures for Renal Dialysis (Including Peritoneal Dialysis)" by James Cerilli and Carl Haisch; "Peritoneovenous Shunts for Intractable Ascites" by Bernard Langer and Paul D. Greig; "Extracranial-Intracranial Bypass Grtifts for Cerebral Ischemia" by Allan H. Friedman; "Use of Intra-Aortic Balloon Counterpulsation Technique" by W. Randolph Chitwood; and "The Total Artificial Heart" by William C. DeVries. These new sections add much to the thoroughness of the thirteenth edition, and it is fortunate that outstanding and easily identifiable authorities in each of these endeavors have agreed to participate. Finally, it is a privilege to emphasize the international impact of this TEXTBOOK OF SURGERY, since it has been published in Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Italian, and Turkish editions. The fundamental goal of this effort is direct and straightforward, that is, it is designed to serve the needs of all those involved in the science of surgery, including medical students, surgical residents, practicing surgeons, and teachers of surgery in medical schools and hospitals throughout the world. David C. Sabiston, Jr.