Considering the fantastic pace of change in the world of minimally invasive surgery, it is indeed the brave who take on the challenge of putting together a textbook on this subject. Chief editor Azad Najmaldin is, therefore, to be complimented for his effort in pooling the skills of leading paediatric surgeons to produce a current and pertinent text on paediatric minimally invasive surgery.
The information is delivered in 65 selected topics, which are categorised into general, gastrointestinal, thoracic and urology sections. For obvious reasons, gastroenterology has the greatest weighting but coverage of this continually expanding specialty is very adequate in all areas. A standard format is followed throughout the book, giving an easy flowing style with consistency, and the book is also well indexed with bold subheadings allowing for easy access to the information.
Despite the varied authorship, there has clearly been investment by the editors to ensure an even spread of quality throughout the book. There are parts, especially in the thoracic and urological sections, that are written from a perspective of vast experience and stand above the rest. Deficiencies, on the other hand, are hard to find and the reader is not going to be disappointed. The detail of the historical perspectives, particularly in the earlier sections, is tortuous but this is more than compensated for by the class in the ‘problems, pitfalls and solutions’ section, which is delivered with clinical precision. The authors have deliberately avoided controversy, concentrating instead on the facts, which is a positive aspect of the book. Where coverage of technical options is necessary as in antireflux surgery and nephrectomy, these are informative, cutting edge and comprehensive. Further reading lists are limited to key sources and sometimes not offered at all, thereby leaving enthusiastic readers who seek more information to conduct an independent search of the literature.
Critical to this type of publication are the technical descriptions that feature at the core of minimally invasive and endoscopic practice. Herein lies the appeal of the textbook, which delivers this aspect in sufficient detail using simple language, without the chaff. Equipment requirements are appropriately bullet pointed as are the concise peri-operative and technique descriptions. Illustrations are for the most part relevant and complementary to the text but trainees who lack surgical experience (and to whom the book is principally directed) may have to rely on powerful imagination to make up for some of the rather unprofessional sketching.
At £165 this is an expensive buy considering the absence of glossy prints. For the price, however, the purchaser acquires an excellent operative manual in a highly specialised area of paediatric practice, written by leaders in their respective fields. This book, which is currently without competition, should do well but purchasers would have to be cautious to judge by content and not cover.