Modern Surgical Care: Physiologic Foundations and Clinical Applications PDF

Preface

When the first edition of this book was published in 1988 under the title Physiologic Basis of Modern Surgical Care, its goal was to bridge the gap that commonly exists between basic science information regarding human disease and the ability to apply this knowledge to everyday clinical care. In teaching medical students rotating on surgery, as well as residents embarking on surgical careers, many of my colleagues and I, serving on medical school faculties across the country, were all too acutely aware that management of surgical disorders by these trainees was frequently based on memorized schemes or protocols rather than a thorough understanding of the pathophysiology underlying a particular disease. To address this issue, we published the initial edition with the intent to approach surgical disease as a derangement in normal physiology and that the best way to diagnose and treat it was to understand thoroughly this deviation from normal. We were very gratified with the acceptance of the book by the surgical community and its adoption by many program directors as essential reading to prepare residents for various examinations, such as the annual in-service training examination in surgery and the board certification examination following completion of surgical training. We also received many positive comments from established surgeons regarding its usefulness in preparing for recertification exams.

Because of the wide acceptance of the first edition as an important vehicle to train house officers in the physiologic underpinnings of surgical disease, a second edition was published in 1998 under the title Modern Surgical Care: Physiologic Foundations and Clinical Applications. The title change was made to more adequately reflect the linkage between physiology and clinical care. We have been especially pleased with the continuing acceptance of the second edition as an important educational tool and were extremely grateful when Informa Healthcare (formerly Marcel Dekker, Inc.) asked us to produce a third edition.

In addition to being thoroughly updated, the third edition reflects the capable assistance and counsel of a group of associate editors who have contributed greatly in streamlining chapters, minimizing repetitive material, adding new chapters to include cutting-edge material, and selecting a more diverse and mainstream authorship who are the current leaders in their fields. Their recommendations were responsible for the inclusion of 91 new authors not involved in the previous editions. These associate editors include Drs. Barbara Bass, Jeff Fabri, Carl Haisch, Dave Mercer, Ron Merrell, and Stuart Myers. To each of them, I offer my utmost thanks and gratitude.

As reflected in the previous editions, the needs of the general surgeon continue to be emphasized in the present edition. Further, the goal of this third edition remains the same, namely to approach surgical disease as a derangement in normal physiology, which needs to be corrected to as near normal as possible to effectively manage and treat the underlying disorder. This book is divided into nine parts, with the first part devoted to information pertinent to the body as a whole, and the eight remaining sections focused on specific organ systems or themes. Diseases affecting the reproductive organs, disorders of the head and neck (other than the thyroid and parathyroid glands), and disorders of the musculoskeletal system are not specifically dealt with because the current practice of surgery only rarely involves these disciplines. Finally, this book is not meant to replace standard textbooks of surgery and, accordingly, is not a comprehensive discussion of all surgical diseases. For less common types of surgical problems or those not regularly encountered in the practice of general surgery, such books should be consulted.

I would personally like to offer my sincere appreciation to the folks at Informa Healthcare who have worked with us during the production of the book. I have found everyone with whom I have collaborated to be extremely professional, cordial, and helpful in making sure that this third edition meets the goals that we have set. I would especially like to recognize two people with whom I have had a very close working relationship. The first is Joe Stubenrauch who has been the project editor. He has more than met my expectations and has demonstrated unusual adaptability when I thought something should be done for which initially he and I had differing viewpoints. The second individual is Joanne Jay who was responsible for the final editing of each chapter and preparing the galley proofs. Her attention to detail has been exemplary. I have been very pleased with the outstanding quality of her editorial review. To both of these individuals I say ‘‘Thank you!'' They made the process of finalizing this book most pleasurable.