Book Review

Surgical Endocrinology

N Engl J Med 1994; 331:137July 14, 1994

Article

Surgical Endocrinology
Edited by John Lynn and Stephen R. Bloom. 579 pp., illustrated. Boston, Butterworth-Heinemann, 1993. $295. ISBN: 0-7506-1390-4

Endocrine surgery is one of the more intellectually challenging branches of surgery because of the physiologic complexity and anatomical diversity of the system. This admirable textbook supplies the current scientific background, including discussions of molecular biology and genetics, on which to base sound clinical decisions. When surgery is appropriate, the operative details are clearly described and reinforced by outstanding photographs.

Of the 59 contributors, 23 are currently working at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School at Hammersmith Hospital in London, and most of the rest either have worked there or have close links with that institution. Inevitably, this introduces a Hammersmith bias in opinion and approach. It seems a pity not to have included authoritative contributors from other centers of excellence, since this is the first comprehensive textbook of surgical endocrinology to have been produced in the United Kingdom for many years. Nevertheless, the topics are well covered, with chapters devoted to hormone measurement, imaging, anesthesia, and radiology as they apply to all the glands of the endocrine system. There is even a chapter on medicolegal aspects of endocrine surgery; although based on English law, it offers sound advice to all surgeons in the field.

This book can be particularly recommended as a reference work for surgeons in advanced training. It has been so handsomely produced and is of such high quality that many dedicated surgeons will want to have it on their library shelves.

Nicholas Dudley
John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford 0X3 9DU, England