| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
Book Review |
Vancouver, B.C.
It has been six years since the 4th edition of Miller's Anesthesia was published. The editors have done an excellent job with this newest edition of assuring that this text will remain the standard for anesthesia in North America. Although the general organization is unchanged, there have been some welcome revisions that reflect the progress of our specialty over the last decade. To achieve this task, the number of contributing editors has increased from 123 to 134 while the five consulting editors remain the same. The text is again published in two volumes although the page number has increased from 2696 to 2877. Three chapters have been dropped from the previous edition and two new chapters have been added. The font and text size has been changed and colour has been added for headings and tables which make this edition much easier to read. This expansion has resulted in an increase in weight from 15.5 to 17 pounds! An electronic version of the full text with graphics would be most welcome and much easier to carry.
The editors have added a CD-ROM companion that contains videos illustrating technical procedures in anesthesia. Icons throughout the text direct readers to the appropriate video. Included are descriptions of inserting PA catheters, a brief introduction to TEE, and a discussion of techniques for lung isolation. There is an excellent description of the anesthesia machine check and descriptions of performing pediatric caudal blocks and two approaches to the brachial plexus. The last two sections describe methods of intraoperative blood salvage and the use of infusion pumps. This CD-ROM will serve as an excellent educational aid for residents and a good review for practitioners.
Section I – Introduction
Only the chapter on the history of anesthesia remains. The chapters discussing the scope of modern anesthesia practice and quality assurance/quality improvement have been moved to the last section.
Section II – Scientific Principles
Most of the chapters in this section have undergone revision. The chapter on cardiovascular and pulmonary pharmacology has been revised and separated into two sections. The widespread use of newer agents has resulted in a more detailed discussion of their properties. There are also expanded sections on topics such as intraoperative awareness, BIS monitoring, and economics and outcome. Dennis Fisher's chapter on statistics in anesthesia has been rewritten to include an excellent section on research methodology and outcome.
Section III – Anesthesia Management
The chapters on psychological preparation and preoperative medication and management of general anesthesia have been deleted from this section. These topics are now covered in other chapters. The chapter on risk of anesthesia has been completely rewritten. Michael Roizen's chapter on preoperative evaluation now includes a section on the use of information management systems and the organization and running of a preadmission clinic. A new chapter on transesophageal echocardiography written by Michael Cahalan has been added. Accompanying colour plates and videos offer a good introduction to the technique. The color atlas of regional anesthesia remains in this edition. The Crystalloids and Colloids chapter is now titled Fluid and Electrolyte Physiology and includes interesting clinical scenarios that illustrate some common and not so common problems encountered.
Section lV - Subspecialty Management
The organization is essentially unchanged with revisions in most chapters that reflect changes in practice. The chapter on chronic pain now has an appendix outlining the guidelines for the use of opioids in the treatment of chronic, non-cancer pain.
Section V - Critical Care Medicine
The overview on anesthesiology and critical care has been rewritten with an expanded section on outcome and a new section on neurosurgical ICU. The respiratory care chapter has been extensively reorganized and updated. In the chapter on brain death, the description of newer tests and revised guidelines is excellent.
Section VI - Ancillary Responsibilities and Problems
The chapter on scope of modern anesthetic practice has been rewritten with new sections on ambulatory and value-based care. A new chapter entitled, Finding Professional Information on the Internet has been added. It begins with a brief historical introduction and then reviews trusted sources of medical information. The author also gives instruction on how to search Medline and how to access discussion groups. An appendix includes a glossary of terms for neophyte users. Another chapter that has been completely rewritten is on quality assurance/quality improvement. Various types of quality assurance programs and the development and implementation of practice guidelines are described. The chapter on work environment and simulators has been rewritten to reflect experience gained over the past years. The environmental safety chapter now includes a review of latex allergy.
The textbook concludes with an appendix of ASA practice guidelines. These include guidelines for pulmonary artery catheterization, transesophageal echocardiography, difficult airway management, blood component therapy, sedation by non-anesthesiologists, acute, chronic and cancer pain management, obstetrical anesthesia, fasting guidelines and recommendations for reducing aspiration risk.
In conclusion, this is a very organized and comprehensive edition and should be a required addition for every anesthesia library.
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  R. Chen Handbook for Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease, 2nd Ed.: Robert K. Stoelting, Stephen F. Dierdorf. Churchill Livingstone, 2002. 598 pages. $65.95 (CAN). ISBN 0-443- 06605-1 Can J Anesth, October 1, 2002; 49(8): 893 - 893. [Full Text]
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
