Anaesthesia for Infants and Children.

Anaesthesia for Infants and Children. E. K. MOTOYAMA, F. J. DAVIS (Eds.) Mosby, St. Louis, 1996. Price £99.00, pp. 999. For its sixth edition this classic text has been extensively revised and updated, in recognition of the significant impact that developments in scientific knowledge, technology and pharmacology have had on clinical practice in the 6 years since its predecessor. The book aims to be a comprehensive guide to physiology, pharmacology and clinical anaesthetic management in infants and children, whilst retaining the philosophy and emphasis of the early editions, the 'human approach to the whole patient'. Reflecting the evolution of paediatric anaesthesia towards subspecialties, the work is now a multi-author production with 45 contributors, many of whom are eminent in their fields. Dr Smith as author of an excellent review of the history of paediatric anaesthesia. Throughout the first three sections of the text, Basic Principles, General Approach to Paediatric Anesthesia, and Clinical Management of Special Surgical Problems, the expected subject matter is dealt with competently, with some outstanding contributions, and a final section offers an interesting collection of chapters on Associated Problems including malignant hyperpyrexia, resuscitation, safety and outcome, and medicolegal and ethical considerations. To produce a work of this quality in a speciality that has seen such rapid development is a difficult task, which the editors have carried out commendably. Areas of advance such as in monitoring, the new volatile agents, the laryngeal mask airway, analgesia for neonates, regional anaesthesia and day-case anaesthesia are all dealt with. Despite the length of the book, discussion of some areas appears limited and the varying emphasis between subject areas may not please all readers. Anaesthesia for Neonates and Premature Infants is disposed of in 29 pages whereas a chapter on Blood Conservation occupies 36 and cardiac anaesthesia 64 pages. Nevertheless, the writing throughout is of a very high standard and each chapter is thoroughly referenced. All the contributions to this work are from North American institutions, and not every detail of the clinical techniques described will correspond with European practice. This apart, the book is a vast store of information for both the trainee and established specialist alike, and should retain its wide international readership. A. J.