Clinical Anesthesia, 5th Edition

CLINICAL ANESTHESIA, 5TH EDITION Editors: Paul G. Barash MD; Bruce F. Cullen, MD; Robert K. Stoelting, MD Bibliographic Data: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2006. ISBN: 0-7817-5745-2; 1595 pp, hardcover, US$179.00. Reviewer's Expert Opinion Description: In this fifth edition, the authors and editors provide an extraordinarily comprehensive overview of the medical specialty of anesthesiology with particular attention to the basic principles of anesthesia practice, pharmacology in anesthesia practice, preoperative preparedness for the delivery of anesthesia, intraoperative management of anesthesia, and the postoperative management of patients having undergone an anesthetic. The previous edition was published in 2000. Purpose: The editors have stated that they believe that this edition has remained faithful to its original goal: "to develop a textbook that supports efficient and rapid acquisition of knowledge." However, they acknowledge that, to meet this objective, they have specifically developed a multifaceted systemic approach; this book serves as the foundation and reference for the other education tools in the Clinical Anesthesia series: the Handbook of Clinical Anesthesia, 5th Edition, Clinical Anesthesia for the PDA, 2nd Edition, Review of Clinical Anesthesia, 3rd Edition, and the Lippincott Interactive Anesthesia Library on CD-ROM, 3rd Edition. Audience: This comprehensive textbook is designed to serve as a daily reference for students, anesthesia trainees, practicing anesthesiologists, and other physicians who are in need of a reference of perioperative care. For trainees, the book can be read as a whole and will provide in-depth background that will give the trainee an entry-level foundation for lifelong learning. For practicing anesthesiologists, chapters are designed to stand on their own and can provide thorough references enabling the practitioner to adequately problem solve. Features: The book is organized into six major sections, with the first three ("Introduction to Anesthesia Practice," "Base Principles of Anesthesia Practice," and "Basic Principles of Pharmacology and Anesthesia Practice") designed to provide a foundation for didactics. The last three sections ("Preparing for Anesthesia," "Management of Anesthesia," and "Postanesthesia and Consultant Practice") are designed to provide more detailed information about perioperative patient management. The editors have assembled 117 authors with expertise in both basic science and clinical medicine. The collective expertise of these authors makes them exceptionally well-qualified authorities in the field. This edition is totally redesigned from the previous edition and includes both new formatting and information. For example, each chapter begins with a detailed outline and key points. New chapters include disaster preparedness and weapons of mass destruction, genomics, bariatric surgery, and office-based anesthesia. In addition, each author seems to emphasize applicable areas of importance to patient safety. Assessment: This is an extraordinarily well-written and comprehensive text of outstanding quality. It is an invaluable addition to the library of any student, trainee, or practitioner of the medical specialty of anesthesiology. Reviewer: Jeffrey L.