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OOK REVIEWS

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urrent Surgical Therapy. 8th ed.ameron JL, ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby; 2004, 1343p, $159.00.

ost surgeons are familiar with this text edited by Johnameron, MD, from Johns Hopkins University. This book hasone through several editions. This edition follows a slightly dif-erent format from the last edition in that there are fewer pages andewer chapters compared with the previous eighth edition.

The goal of the textbook, however, has remained the same.he authors have produced a surgical reference that is gearedrimarily toward therapy and clinical management rather thanoward basic science and pathophysiology. The outcome is aoncise and readable text that one can quickly review eitherefore an evaluation of a patient or before surgery. I believe onef the best attributes of this book is its value for general surgicalesidents and surgeons-in-training for preparing for an opera-ive case or studying for the American Board of Surgery exam-nations. However, I do not want to devalue its usefulness forracticing general surgeons or other specialists reviewing spe-ific topics for their daily practice or preparing for recertifica-ion examinations. Virtually all the authors have changed fromhe previous edition. Admittedly, Dr. Cameron portrays eachhapter as a personal presentation of each disease process fromhe perspective of the respective authors. Consequently, somenconsistency occurs among the chapters concerning the

ethod in which information is presented. Overall, however,ach chapter is generally well written, evidence-based, and ex-remely enjoyable to read. The text emphasizes standard of care,ut also it introduces some controversial topics and alternativelgorithms.

I especially enjoyed the section on skin and soft tissue and thehapters on facial injuries and breast reconstruction after mas-ectomy. The chapter on hand infections was straightforward,roviding me with succinct practical approaches to the treat-ent of various hand space infections. The chapter on breast

econstruction reviewed the indications and the various types ofaps available for breast reconstruction after a mastectomy.All-in-all, this textbook should be the second reference that any

urgical resident or practicing attending surgeon should own, sec-nd only to a definitive, standard general surgery textbook. Thesetandard texts are more comprehensive for basic science, patho-hysiology, or topics covered and serve as the foundation for anyurgical education. However, Dr. Cameron’s text cannot be out-one in readability, conciseness, and practical usefulness in day-to-ay practice in addition to being an invaluable tool for preparingor the American Board of Surgery examinations.

TITO VASQUEZ, MDDepartment of Surgery

St. Luke’s HospitalBethlehem, Pennsylvania

doi:10.1016/j.cursur.2004.10.008 v

URRENT SURGERY • © 2005 by the Association of Program Directors inPublished by Elsevier Inc.

ospital Infection: From Miasmas to MRSAyliffe GAJ, English MP. Cambridge, UK: Cambridgeniversity Press; 2003, 288 pp, $40.00.

his interesting book describes the history of the continuingtruggle by the medical profession to fight and eliminate infec-ion. Dr. Ayliffe is a distinguished microbiologist from the Hos-ital Infection Research Laboratory in Birmingham, U.K. Dr.nglish, also from the United Kingdom, is a well-known my-ologist who specializes in the epidemiology of fungal disease.

The text begins with a discussion on the theories of infection.rom the outset, the authors emphasize the close relationshipetween the evolving theories of infection and the resultingreatment strategies throughout the centuries. The authors de-cribe how the early world of superstitions gradually evolved,requently not without opposition, and gave way to the evi-ence-based infection control and treatment modalities of to-ay.The book recounts numerous fascinating stories and histor-

cal landmarks pertaining to growth and development of mod-rn microbiology and infectious disease science. The chaptersre rich with anecdotes from the lives of Louis Pasteur, Robertoch, Joseph Lister, Theodor Bilroth, Ignaz Semmelweiss, Ru-olph Virchov, as well as other scientists. Early antiseptic andseptic surgical techniques are discussed with a detailed descrip-ion of the early 20th century research on skin disinfection byr. Price. The reader then discovers the story behind the early

se of gloves by midwives to protect them from venereal infec-ion. Of course, no work on infectious disease and surgeryould be complete without the description of Dr. Halsted’s

urgical amphitheater.A discussion of specific infectious organisms is then pre-

ented. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus au-eus is detailed, with a strong emphasis placed on the liberal usef penicillins by physicians as a contributing factor. The sectionn the role of the inanimate environment in the spread oftaphylococci is especially interesting. A discussion on gram-egative bacilli follows, covering a wide range of clinically rel-vant issues from antibiotic resistance to opportunistic gram-egative bacilli and gastrointestinal infections.A detailed section on infection control follows. Here, post-

perative wound infections, prevention of infection in theards, and antibiotic prophylaxis and policies are discussed,

mong other topics.Emerging diseases at the end of the 20th century are covered

oward the conclusion of the book. Of interest, the authorsivide emerging infections into new or previously unrecognizediseases, well-recognized diseases that have become resurgent,nd diseases associated with the development of antimicrobialesistance to existing agents. The highlights of this section in-lude a discussion of viral hepatitis, human immunodeficiencyirus infection and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome,

iral hemorrhagic fevers and other viral zoonoses, as well as

Surgery 0149-7944/05/$30.00 311

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ransmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Separate sectionsre devoted to Legionnaires’ disease, Helicobacter pylori, andisteria monocytogenes infections, as well as tuberculosis and

ungal infections.The book concludes with a look at the past, the present, and

he future of infectious disease. Beautiful black-and-white his-orical illustrations add further value to this work. I highlyecommend the book to any physician or allied health profes-ional interested in infectious diseases. It also provides a valu-

ble reference for anyone interested in the history of medical

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cience and, in particular, the history of infectious disease. Theook provides hours of captivating reading with a perfect blendf scientific fact and real-life anecdotes.

STANISLAW P. STAWICKI, MDDepartment of Surgery

St Luke’s HospitalBethlehem, Pennsylvania

doi:10.1016/j.cursur.2004.10.006

CURRENT SURGERY • Volume 62/Number 3 • May/June 2005