Everyone's Guide to Outpatient Surgery CMAJ 1997;156:1047 James R. Macho and Greg Cable. Edited by M. Lucie Lessard. 185 pp. Illust. Somerville House Books Ltd., Toronto. 1996. Distributed by the Canadian Medical Association, Ottawa. $19.95 ($15.95 CMA members). ISBN 1-895897-41-6 [ How to order this book ] Overall rating: Excellent Strengths: Clear and concise; inexpensive Weaknesses: None Audience: Patients undergoing day surgery, members of their family and all professionals involved in day surgery James Macho, Greg Cable and their contributors are to be congratulated on producing this excellent book. It is primarily directed toward patients undergoing outpatient surgery or members of their family. An increasing proportion of surgical procedures are being performed on an outpatient basis or during same-day admission. Most patients are facing an operation without the traditional security of a hospital bed. This book provides a comprehensive review of the A to Z of outpatient surgery, including excellent discussions of anesthesia, preoperative tests and preparation, postoperative problems, pediatric surgical issues and areas in which concise patient education is required. A series of chapters reviews common surgical conditions and their management on an outpatient basis. This section is set out in a very clear, system-by-system way, from skin through breast, abdomen, vascular system, anus and rectum, ear, nose and throat, hand, reproductive system and urinary system. Also included are hernia, ophthalmologic, orthopedic and plastic surgery. Each of these chapters is very clearly written and well illustrated, with easy-to-understand line diagrams. The common diseases and their surgical treatment are clearly and simply described, together with what the patient should expect after the operation. This book should be read by anyone for whom outpatient surgery has been recommended. It should also be part of the office library of all surgeons and family practitioners and be required reading for everyone involved in day-surgery units. At its low price, the book is excellent value and is recommended without reservation. James R. Kirkpatrick, ChM Professor of Surgery University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Man. Send a letter to the editor responding to this article Envoyez une lettre à la rédaction au sujet de cet article | CMAJ April 1, 1997 (vol 156, no 7) / JAMC le 1er avril 1997 (vol 156, no 7) |