Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (3rd edn)

Abstract

The Companion to Specialist Surgical Practice series was first published in 1997. There was a core textbook and another seven, one for each of the general surgical subspecialties. They rapidly established themselves as the ‘must-have’ textbooks for those in higher surgical training in the UK and the unofficial revision guides for the intercollegiate examination. Second editions arrived in 1997 and the third editions in 2006. The latest vascular text is slightly shorter than before (410 pages) and some authors have been changed. The 19 chapters are mostly written by vascular surgeons and radiologists. Each chapter is intended as a summary of current thinking and evidence-based practice is highlighted and referenced. The editors state that the book is intended for trainees but also for established consultant surgeons to update themselves. This is the first medical book that I have read from cover to cover for over 15 years. I enjoyed it a lot and learned more than a little. Most chapters are well written and superbly referenced. The ‘scalpel code’ of evidence was invariably appropriate with prejudice creeping in only occasionally. It is as up-to-date as possible but even now some studies eagerly awaited in the literature have already been published. I noticed only one spelling mistake and one amusing error in the colour plates (can you spot it?). I learned most from the non-surgical chapters on epidemiology, angioplasty, the diabetic foot and vasospastic/vasculitic disorders. Of the others, the chapter on carotid disease is out-standing. As an exercise in trawling the evidence, expertly processing its relevance, then condensing it into a digestible form (so that the reader may perhaps use it to help make a judgement on an individual patient), it is flawless. It made me think about my own practice and encouraged further reading. All authors asked to contribute to this sort of text should read it. If you are a vascular surgeon who hasn't read a book for years, I can recommend it and you might as well read this one. I have vowed to read the next edition. The current edition is now the perfect source to look up references. Vascular trainees will buy this book anyway. They should trawl through it its contents thoroughly and repeatedly before taking the examination and should use it to extend their reading to the most important references. Not all aspects of vascular surgical practice are covered but I cannot think that there is a better book to act as a basis for study. Do not, however, assume that your examiner will agree with everything stated in it. Not all the opinions are evidence-based and some have stimulated lively (and I stress healthy) debate on my unit. The chapters that deal with our bread and butter – the assessment and treatment of chronic lower-limb ischaemia – stimulated most. I would also hope that general surgical trainees would read this book before they pass through a vascular unit on their rotation. The knowledge imparted would certainly enable them to get more out of their placement. This book is the vascular trainees' bible. It has the power to influence a whole generation of vascular specialists and is, therefore, very important. On the whole, it is an excellent effort that achieves what it sets out to do. It is the right size, the right price and aimed at the right level.