Book Review

Principles of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

N Engl J Med 1993; 329:974-975September 23, 1993

Article

Principles of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Edited by Larry J. Peterson, with A. Thomas Indresano, Robert D. Marciani, Steven M. Roser, and eight section editors. 2051 pp. in three volumes, illustrated. Philadelphia, J.B. Lippincott, 1992. $375. ISBN: 0-397-51011-X

Over the past decade, tremendous advances have been made in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery, in the form of improved surgical techniques, application of rigid fixation principles, and use of three-dimensional radiographic anatomical displays. Few books are able to keep up with the wealth of new information and ideas in this field; however, this book gleans the essentials of these advances and synthesizes them, resulting in a clear and crisp scholarly work.

The chapters, sections, and volumes are all well organized, concise, and informative. The scope of the book is broad, ranging from basic principles, pathology, and physiology to trauma and congenital deformities. Each volume is well illustrated with clinical cases, diagrams, and tables that provide a quickly grasped analysis and synthesis of the topic. The algorithms and tables serve as excellent guides to the advantages, indications, and problems under discussion. The style of each chapter is well suited to both residents and busy clinicians, with an ample bibliography to allow further study.

The writing in each section is consistent and clear, with an emphasis on brevity. Brevity may be a disadvantage as well as an advantage, but the usefulness of any textbook depends on the reader's ability to retrieve information expeditiously. The authors and editors certainly have succeeded in meeting that requirement.

In conclusion, these three volumes serve as a quick and user-friendly reference guide to the rapidly evolving field of oral and maxillofacial surgery. They will serve many related subspecialties equally well for years to come.

Craig R. Dufresne, M.D.
Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007