"When a thing ceases to be a subject of controversy, it ceases to be a subject of interest. " WILLIAM HAZLITT (1778-1830) This is the fourth volume in a series which we started in 1997. In 1976, Varco and Delaney edited a "surgical bestseller" entitled Controversy in Surgery. This was fol lowed by a second volume in 1985. The immense success of these books among both surgical trainees and experienced surgeons, and their wide international ap peal, supported the editors' notion that a view of controversy is integral to teach ing. However, despite major advances in surgical science and practice, no other similar publication has since been put together with the objective of addressing major controversies in surgery. The aim of this series is to address such deficiency by covering the most crucial current controversies in general, vascular and trauma surgery. Since almost everything is controversial in surgery, we will be able to tackle different issues almost each year. The editors have selected a nationally/internationally recognized authority for each topic. Most books available today are either "North American:' "British-Com monwealth" or "British-European:' contributing to the constant transatlantic rival ry. Our series specifically aims to bridge this "culture gap" and includes North American, British, European, and other authors while maintaining a cohesive structure. This will hopefully also broaden the appeal of such a book across both sides of the Atlantic and beyond.

There are numerous textbooks detailing almost every aspect of the different laparoscopic procedures. However, in this era of evidence-based medicine, a text focusing on the controversies – from the laparoscopic as well as the general surgeon's point of view – is missing. This book is not intended to be yet another textbook of laparoscopy; instead, its main purpose is to address unsettled issues of controversy. This will significantly enhance evidence-based knowledge of this developing field, stimulate thinking and discussions in rounds and meetings, assist surgeons in their decision making and stimulate further research. This book is not aimed only at laparoscopic surgeons – with their steadily increasing number – but also at general surgeons and surgical trainees. It will define and sharpen points of controversy by internationally recognized authors, and thus provide 'state of the art' quality to each topic.

According to popular belief, technical skill is far more important for surgeons than thoughtful deliberation. Nothing could be further from the truth. Although surgeons must sometimes make decisions rapidly on the basis of incomplete evidence and must respond to unexpected catastrophes in the operating room rapidly, those events are intermittent - most of the time surgeons deliberate on diagnostic problems and thoughtfully manage postoperative care, which is often intellectually challenging.The relationship of surgeons with their patients is, in a real sense, far more intimate and trusting than that of any other professional, a claim that is supported by the fact that patients surrender their bodies to their surgeons in a state of total helplessness and vulnerability when they undergo anesthesia. Because of that responsibility, no other professional group has a greater sense of dedication to the welfare of their patients than surgeons.Surgical culture is deeply steeped in ethics, and surgeons confront and resolve ethical dilemmas as much or more than most other professionals, although they often may not recognize the situations they resolve are problems in ethics - they are just part of the daily routine. This book is a compendium of articles from the recent surgical literature that address ethical issues chosen by surgeons because they are controversial and pertinent to the practice of surgery. The reader will not find a great deal of sophisticated dissection of fine philosophical distinctions in these discussions of ethical conflicts and controversies in surgery. Instead, they will discover differing viewpoints from thoughtful essayists, mostly surgeons, whose feet are firmly in contact with the ground and who have extensive experience in the real world of surgery, medicine, and law.

University of Washington, Seattle. Collection of 50 essays in controversial areas of oral and maxillofacial surgery, for practitioners. Topics include cleft lip and palate surgery, forensic odontology, and implants. Illustrated. 76 contributors (Product Description).

Although appendicitis is the leading cause of an acute surgical abdomen in children, many areas of controversy exist in diagnosis and medical and surgical management of this condition. Written in a practical, easy-to-use format, Controversies in Pediatric Appendicitis provides a thorough overview of these debated issues, careful to include perspectives on every aspect of care. The book begins with an introductory framework that examines the history of pediatric appendicitis, the epidemiology of disease, defining a complicated diagnosis, the role and efficacy of laboratories in diagnosis, and use and overuse of radiographic imaging for appendicitis. Later chapters cover antibiotic selection, surgical approaches to appendicitis, non-operative management of acute and perforated appendicitis, discussion of potential complications, as well as appendicitis in special pediatric situations like malignancy and other instances of immune suppression. Each chapter follows a similar format, beginning with clinical vignettes and concluding with pearls and pitfalls to provide readers with necessary clinical grounding and context with which to examine each of these areas of current controversy. A unique, first-of-its-kind book, Controversies in Pediatric Appendicitis is an ideal resource for pediatric surgeons, interventional radiologists, emergency room specialists, and all providers and surgeons that care for children with appendicitis.

This title reviews the bioethical issues in congenital heart disease and other difficult pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgical situations. It provides considered opinions and recommendations as to the preferred actions to take in these cases, stressing the importance of making informed decisions that are bioethically sound and doing so using considered reasoning of all the related sensitive issues. Bioethical Controversies in Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery provides detailed recommendations on potential solutions to make bioethical decisions in difficult clinical scenarios. There is particular emphasis on controversies involving surgery for hypoplastic left heart syndrome, futility, informed consent, autonomy, genomics, and beneficence. It is intended for use by a wide range of practitioners, including congenital heart surgeons, pediatric cardiologists, pediatric intensivists, nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, and clinical ethicists.

The first textbook on the subject, this is a practical, clinically comprehensive guide to ethical issues in surgical practice, research, and education written by some of the most prominent figures in the fields of surgery and bioethics. Discussions of informed consent, confidentiality, and advance directives--core concepts integral to every surgeon-patient relationship--open the volume. Seven chapters tackle the ethical issues in surgical practice, covering the full range of surgical patients--from emergency, acute, high-risk, and elective patients, to poor surgical risk and dying patients. The book even considers the special relationship between the surgeon and patients who are family members or friends. Chapters on surgical research and education address innovation, self-regulation in practice and research, and the prevention of unwarranted bias. Two chapters focus on the multidisciplinary nature of surgery, including the relationships between surgery and other medical specialties and the obligations of the surgeon to other members of the surgical team. The economic dimensions of surgery, especially within managed care, are addressed in chapters on the surgeons financial relationships with patients, conflicts of interest, and relationships with payers and institutions. The authors do not engage in abstract discussions of ethical theory; instead, their discussions are always directly relevant to the everyday concerns of practicing surgeons. This well-integrated volume is intended for practicing surgeons, medical educators, surgical residents, bioethicists, and medical students.