Abstract
a surgeon, a pediatrician, and a radiologist in collaboration. The different experiences, skills, and perspectives of each are well blended, and the result of this team effort is a remarkably brief and concise but very informative treatise on the subject. The style is informal, simple, and straightforward. It reads easily (approximate time, two hours), the subject matter is covered remarkably well, interest is maintained throughout, and a great many "pearls" on diagnosis and important "do's and don'ts" in management are offered. It is perhaps a bit too dogmatic in some places, particularly with the use of the world "never." Though the infant with an acute surgical abdomen seldom exhibits abdominal rigidity, I have seen rigidity in such infants on rare occasions. The point is well taken, however, that its absence does not preclude the diagnosis. There are 14 chapters. Most outstanding are those devoted to intestinal obstruction in the newborn, abdominal masses in infants, pneumoperitoneum, pyloric stenosis, intussusception, appendicitis, gas¬ trointestinal bleeding, and "medical belly-aches." Other chapters include discussions on neonatal ascites, for¬ eign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract, and separate chapters on trauma in the newborn and in older children. The book is exceptionally well illustrated and has many well re¬ produced roentgenograms. Short case reports are used liberally to cite ex¬ amples and to make specific teaching points. Each chapter has its own annotated bibliography, including many of the classic older references as well as noteworthy newer contributions. The quality of paper, print, binding, and
Published Version
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