As minimal access approaches to cancer diagnosis, staging, and therapy become more widely used, it is vital for general surgeons, along with laparoscopists, surgical oncologists and medical oncologists, to stay up to date. The editors, a team consisting of a renowned surgical oncologist and a laparoscopic specialist, aim to provide a resource for the practicing general surgeon using basic minimally invasive techniques. The book discusses diagnosis including biopsy with microinstrumentation, staging, and palliative and curative resection. Specific tumor sites are addressed, including esophagus, stomach, spleen, small bowel, pancreato-biliary, hepatic resection, and colo-rectal resection. Minimally invasive approaches to the thoracic and retroperitoneal areas are included. The book provides a thorough overview of basic cancer biology, instrumentation, and ultrasound. Additionally, Greene and Heniford explore controversial issues such as port-site recurrence and the effect of pneumoperitoneum on the spread of cancer cells in the abdomen. Many photographs and line drawings, including 16 in full color, illustrate the principles discussed in the text. A must-have for every practicing general surgeon, laparoscopic fellow, and general surgery resident.

Adhesions can cause a wide range of problems, complaints and hazards, even after simple abdominal procedures, such as appendectomy, with complications ranging from recurrent discomfort and pain to intestinal obstruction. Postsurgical adhesions increase the risk of following operations of the abdominal and thoracic cavity. They impair peritoneal dialysis and chemotherapy and play a crucial part in laparoscopic procedures. Adhesion-related problems account for a large amount of clinical work and have a significant socioeconomic impact. This book presents the current knowledge on the aetiopathogenesis of adhesion formation as well as the available methods for their prevention and control. Experts in the field contribute to clinical standards for preventive measures to control the formation of postoperative adhesions