Clinical Pediatric Anesthesia: A Case-Based Handbook, 2nd ed

Clinical Pediatric Anesthesia: A Case-BasedHandbook, 2nd ed, is a multiauthor book by chosen stalwarts from tertiary care high-volume pediatric hospitals. Editors have aptly chosen the topics so as to cover the entire spectrum of pediatric anesthesia, and each of the authors has done full justice to the entrusted task of discussing multiple aspects of different clinical problems in a very lucid manner. The book is divided into 15 parts, each of which has 5–7 chapters dealing with the common to the most challenging clinical cases encountered in day-to-day anesthetic practice. Like any other case-based handbook, it is presumed that the reader has basic knowledge of the subject and dwells mainly on the specificities and intricacies of a particular topic. The book is easy-to-read, understand, grasp, and retain the information contained therein. Every topic has been presented in the form of a simulated clinical case which encourages the reader to think, critically analyze, and plan the management strategy. The book begins with general topics like preoperative preparation, pharmacology, and airway management and then progresses to specific topics like the child with pulmonary or heart disease, endocrinal disorder, the “syndromic” child, etc. The latter half of the book covers challenges in the perinatal period, pediatric regional anesthesia, and postanesthesia care. “Challenges in Ethics” in the concluding section of the book includes important but “not so talked about” topics giving them the due attention they deserve. The text provides a cohesive consult for review of specific anesthetic considerations in difficult pediatric clinical scenarios. Each chapter begins with a brief introduction followed by the learning objectives clearly defining what the reader is expected to learn. Rather than a conventional, theoretical textbook, practical clinical situations have been described. Discussion is in a question and answer format wherein various options, advantages, and disadvantages of different aspects of perioperative management of the case have been deliberated. This format gives the anesthesiologist an opportunity to formulate his or her own anesthetic plan, keeping in mind the pros and cons of various probable techniques. The in-depth systematic discussion helps the reader get a better insight into the problem and to practically apply knowledge to deal with varied clinical challenges. The cited text is appropriately referenced. Annotated references given at the end of the chapter are especially helpful in quickly surfing through the most important, specific, and informative references. Current guidelines, such as for “preoperative fasting,” “the difficult airway,” etc, have been skillfully incorporated in the different clinical cases, bringing home the practicalities of the theoretical guidelines. The latest available investigations relevant for a particular case, for example, virtual bronchoscopy in “foreign body airway,” have been included. Tables, flowcharts, and algorithms are incorporated and are high-yield resources which allow the reader to assimilate a large amount of information in a quick and structured manner. Each chapter ends with a key take-home message in the form of a short summary. The section on “Challenges in Blood and Fluid Management” brilliantly addresses the complexities and dynamics of blood and fluid management in a child for liver transplant as well as problems associated with massive blood transfusion which may be required in a case of polytrauma or craniosynostosis repair. The massive blood transfusion protocol, damage control resuscitation, and surgery have been appropriately addressed in the context of the chosen topic. The chapters on challenges in the perinatal period thoroughly cover, in a very simplified manner, all perioperative aspects of a neonate presenting for surgery with complex diseases like necrotizing enterocolitis, tracheoesophageal fistula, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, gastroschisis, meningomyelocele, etc. The present edition has added new chapters like “Anesthesia for EXIT” which encompasses the latest advances in the field of fetal anesthesia. Part 3 of the book, “Challenges in Airway Management,” includes important and common airway vignettes. However, a chapter on assessment of the pediatric airway, which is one of the greatest challenges in pediatric anesthesia, would have added more value to this section. The photographs and images in a few of the chapters could have been a little brighter and of higher quality. The electronic version of the book has the usual advantages of being easily accessible from anywhere and anytime on the user’s handheld smart device. Keywords allow easy and quick navigation of the text. Overall Clinical Pediatric Anesthesia: A Case-BasedHandbook, 2nded, is a very readable book with high-yield format and useful not only for the residents but also for the teachers and practicing pediatric anesthesiologists. Munisha Agarwal, MDDepartment of Anaesthesiology and Intensive CareMaulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak HospitalDelhi, Indiaemail protected