"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.

his timely and readable volume addresses today's most crucial controversies in general, vascular, and trauma surgery. Written by expert contributors from around the world, the book has a global perspective and covers a wide range of topics. Each topic features a discussion by one recognized expert and a brief balancing commentary by another. This volume is invaluable to residents preparing for board exams as well as to practicing surgeons. It is also an ideal source to prepare for teaching rounds

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.

Over the last quarter of a century, the fields of medical ethics and of legal issues related to medical practice have rapidly developed for a number of reasons. Firstly, the provision of healthcare nowadays is based on a complicated partnership between healthcare providers, patients, administrators and organizations responsible for providing finance; this complicated partnership frequently results in clashes of views, opinions, and priorities, which have a major ethical and legal dimension. Secondly, a major event of the 21st century is the development of multicultural societies; healthcare-related decisions thus have to be made on the background of so many different ethnicities, religions, cultures and languages, resulting in a great spectrum of ethical and legal implications. Thirdly, in the modern world, people are more mobile and can easily and cost-effectively seek treatment outside of their country of origin or residence, which raises many ethical and legal issues. Lastly, the development of new medical specialties, modern and advanced treatments for very challenging patients, and the introduction of new technologies in medical practice have dramatically broadened the spectrum of ethical and legal issues related to medical practice. This book will therefore aim to cover in detail general principles and specific issues related to the ethical and legal dimensions of modern surgical practice.

Plastic Surgery, A Problem Based Approach provides a problem-based approach to solutions for common scenarios in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery and serves as a practical guide to managing a plastic surgical case. This book outlines a pathway through management for the clinician, consisting of six phases: 1) Recognition of the condition: facilitated by high quality images. 2) General approach: provided by an opening “mindset” statement for the particular case. 3) Assessment: the critical aspects of the history and examination. 4) Treatment: key decisions and key interventions. 5) Management: post-intervention expectations. 6) Evidence: the rationale behind the preceding treatment and an overview of any controversies. Plastic Surgery, A Problem Based Approach is a valuable reference tool for surgical trainees, medical students, healthcare professionals and plastic and reconstructive surgeons.

Incorporating and balancing advancing subspecialization is a significant challenge of modern surgery. The changes of surgical education and early subspecialization is a smaller spectrum of experience of graduating surgeons joining the rural workforce. Surgeons working in rural and remote hospitals, however, must be proficient in the great breadth of current surgical practice and face a number of challenges and demands that are specific to rural surgery. This textbook provides an update on the evidence and surgical techniques for the experienced rural surgeon and most importantly is a guideline for younger surgeons and surgical trainees joining the general surgical workforce in rural and remote areas around the world.

Surgical site infections are caused by bacteria that get in through incisions made during surgery. They threaten the lives of millions of patients each year and contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance. In low- and middle-income countries, 11% of patients who undergo surgery are infected in the process. In Africa, up to 20% of women who have a caesarean section contract a wound infection, compromising their own health and their ability to care for their babies. But surgical site infections are not just a problem for poor countries. In the United States, they contribute to patients spending more than 400 000 extra days in hospital at a cost of an additional US $10 billion per year. No international evidence-based guidelines had previously been available before WHO launched its global guidelines on the prevention of surgical site infection on 3 November 2016, and there are inconsistencies in the interpretation of evidence and recommendations in existing national guidelines. These new WHO guidelines are valid for any country and suitable to local adaptations, and take account of the strength of available scientific evidence, the cost and resource implications, and patient values and preferences.