The second edition of this textbook has been comprehensively updated and revised and several new chapters have been added. The book has been divided into 12 parts with a total of 88 chapters covering the entire spectrum of vascular surgery including portal hypertension, vascular access procedures for haemodialysis, and vascular aspects of organ transplantation. The chapters have been contributed by acknowledged authorities in their field. The editor (FJ Veith) is himself a living legend, having a vascular society named after him in the USA, and he has ensured a textbook of high quality.
Each major topic is dealt with in a concise and logical fashion, progressing from history and pathophysiology through critical elements in diagnosis and treatment. The areas of controversy or uncertainty have been adequately highlighted. An entire section has been devoted to the fast developing field of endovascular surgery and interventional techniques covering angioplasty, angioscopy, intravascular ultrasound and atherectomy devices. An added asset in the book is the depiction of commonly performed vascular surgical procedures and techniques in 36 black and white plates; the reader need not consult a separate atlas for understanding the steps of the operation.
Though the text is fairly comprehensive, Takayasu's disease and arteritis are dealt with too briefly. Similarly the section on Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans) could have been more exhaustive. The chapter on pentoxyfylline and vasodilators is also too short, even for a surgical textbook. The chapter on lumbar sympathectomy also misses out some of the important details.
This is a concise yet comprehensive practical text for the surgeon caring for patients with vascular diseases. It is also a valuable reference for students and doctors interested in management of vascular disease, and it is a very good buy for a medical library.