Surgical techniques for the spine

Copyright © Taylor & Francis 2004. ISSN 0001–6470. Printed in Sweden – all rights reserved. This new textbook is an attempt to describe currently used techniques in spinal surgery from the occiput to the coccyx. The editors have brought together 84 coworkers to produce this 283-page volume and the contributors were chosen either as developers, modifiers or very experienced users of the individual procedures presented. Altogether, 59 different surgical procedures are described on 2–8 pages each, with many high-quality illustrations. The text of each chapter is strictly telegrammatic and among the subtitles encountered are diagnosis, indication for surgery, contraindication, advantages/disadvantages, patient positioning, and in most chapters also a special section on pitfalls – which are very instructive and based on actual experience. The aim has been to describe all kinds of procedures performed on the spine – from disc and fusion surgery to operations for tumors, fractures, inflammatory disorders and deformities. Without a doubt, the main focus of the book is on spinal deformities, which also produce the most complicated surgical challenges. The overall balance of the book is adequate, but the next edition could perhaps contain the following improvements: The book does not have sufficient coverage of spinal trauma. The treatment of spinal trauma is only described briefly in relation to C1-C2 injuries and posterior decompression for lumbar fractures. In the lumbar spine part, a chapter on PLIF (posterolateral interbody fusion) would seem relevant, as anterior and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion have each been given a chapter. Endoscopic approaches have been described only in relation to anterior thoracoscopic release for spinal deformity. However, new types of operation are appearing continuously and it is most satisfying that the authors have included a chapter on vertebroplasty as well as kyphoplasty, and also on disc arthroplasty as related to the Charité prosthesis. Today at least three other competitive types of disc arthroplasty are in use. The extremely rapid evolution within spinal surgery, especially regarding new implants, creates the danger that this type of textbook will have a very limited shelf-life. By the time a book such as this has been edited and printed, still newer techniques will have emerged. Despite this, it is still the most up-to-date presentation and reflects the state of the art in spinal surgery today very well. The book can be recommended for the library of every orthopedic and neurosurgical department dealing with spinal surgery. It must, however, be complemented with one of the classical works on approaches to the spine. Although the book has been produced mainly for experienced spinal surgeons, it can also be used for educational purposes – due to its informative structure and good illustrations. To conclude, this book is the result of a substantial effort to present surgical techniques of the spine in an up-to-date fashion. It is illustrated with many excellent drawings relating to the different techniques, which will make it very valuable when planning the next dayʼs surgery. During the years used to produce this volume, a number of new techniques have emerged and some have disappeared from the market. This rapid development will be even more apparent in the future, but this should not discourage leading authorities from producing works such as “Surgical techniques for the spine”.