"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.

More than 15 years ago, Delaney and Varco edited a two-volume surgical bestseller entitled Controversies in Surgery. Despite major advances in surgical science and practice, no publication has since been put together with the specific aim of addressing major controversies in surgery. Crucial Controversies in Surgery addresses this deficiency by discussing in a highly readable point-counterpoint format the most crucial current controversies in the field of general, vascular and trauma surgery. Each author is a widely recognized authority in his or her field, and together these contributions comprise an international perspective on the most crucial controversies in surgery today.

This book is aimed at the General Surgical Trainee who is embarking on Higher Surgical Training (HST) and its structure closely follows the current HST syllabus. It therefore builds on Fundamentals of Surgical Practice to provide the detail required for this readership and, in particular, includes full details of all of the operative techniques that the candidate is expected to be familiar with. Fully illustrated throughout, and featuring high quality surgical line drawings, it will be an essential purchase for the candidate embarking on higher surgical training and taking the next important step in their surgical career.

The Handbook of Reoperative General Surgery offers a technical overview of one of surgery’s greatest challenges-reoperation. Emphasizing the complications of each disease as well as reoperative procedures, this indispensable text is extensively referenced with pertinent current and classical literature. Organized primarily by body system, the Handbook of Reoperative General Surgery covers the spectrum of conditions faced by general surgeons today, including: Diagnoses and operative strategy critical for breast cancer Coverage of reoperative of the liver, biliary tract, and pancreas Approaches to dealing with reoperations on all areas of gastrointestinal tract Strategies for care of the patient with recurrent hernias and pain An overview of reoperative bariatric surgery Combining the expertise and advice of over thirty practicing surgeons from some of the finest medical centers in the United States, the Handbook of Reoperative General Surgery offers a practical, instructive manual for residents, attending, and surgery practitioners. The Handbook of Reoperative General Surgery includes the essential information for dealing with the unusual complications of reoperation, and provides a basis for innovation and insight usually required to achieve the best operative and perioperative care.

Chronic venous insufficiency, manifesting as disabling open leg ulcers, lipodermatosclerosis and severe cutaneous hyperpigmentation is thought to affect five percent of the population over age 80 and a significant proportion, probably greater than one percent, of Western populations under age 65. To date little has been known about how to treat this condition cost-effectively beyond supportive and palliative care. Thus, the most important feature of Chronic Venous Insufficiency is that it describes the interventions which markedly ameliorate, and in some cases cure, the condition. The authoritative text has been skilfully illustrated to show how new methods of endovascular and endoscopic interventions can be integrated with radiologic techniques to correct totally the abnormalities which produce chronic venous insufficiency. Taken as a whole this volume will enable general surgeons, vascular surgeons, dermatologists and interventional radiologists to treat a condition that was, until recently, thought to be untreatable.

This is the essential up to date review of the difficult topics in surgery for knee injuries and sports injuries to the knee. The book draws international authors to include detailed reviews of treatment options and outcomes and will update surgeons and allied clnicians as to current thinking to provide a guide to treatment of the more difficult knee problems.