Vascular Surgery (5th edition)

Abstract

The fifth edition of Rutherford’s Vascular surgery is a timely update for a resource that can be considered the most authoritative textbook of vascular surgery available today. In this latest edition, some chapters have been consolidated many new chapters and topics have been added. Vascular surgery has become a well defined specialty best practiced by appropriately trained individuals. The fifth edition of Rutherford should be the primary resource for all vascular surgical residents, and it should be on every practicing vascular surgeons’ shelf. The entire realm of vascular surgery is covered in exquisite detail. (In fact, a few topics included in this text may rarely be encountered by most vascular surgeons.) Newly expanded sections covering endovascular interventions are timely and well written. Updates on imaging and therapeutics (medical, percutaneous, and surgical) have been added. In general, the chapters are grouped appropriately and there are ample basic science chapters covering the embryology and development of the vascular system. The science of vascular pathology is covered in detail, and although there is a bit of overlap between a few chapters with respect to the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, this is not very problematic. Updates on clinical trials and outcomes are appropriate and allow the busy clinician quick reference to the most appropriate interventions and therapeutics. Technical aspects are covered in appropriate detail for most topics, although this is not an atlas of vascular exposures and techniques. The medical management of many nonsurgical vascular diseases is outlined appropriately. Compared with earlier editions, the fifth edition is an easy read. The sections on aneurysmal disease and venous disease are well written and fun to read. A clinical problem encountered more often by many vascular surgeons is that of thoracic outlet syndrome, and the chapters dealing with arterial, neurogenic, and venous thoracic outlet syndrome are particularly well done. In general, the fifth edition of Rutherford is a nice improvement on previous editions. The two volumes are convenient, and while the price is may seem a bit high, it is comparable to other textbooks of similar stature and breadth of content. This reference is a must have for all vascular surgeons.