Colon and Rectal Surgery, 4th edition

This fourth edition of a work originally published in 1984 presents a comprehensive review of colorectal diseases. The editor has compiled this edition with updated chapters based on current literature and personal experience, along with expanded and new chapters written by contributors with expertise in colorectal diseases. In general, the book is well organized and includes chapters outlining colorectal anatomy and physiology, diagnostic evaluations, benign and malignant colorectal diseases, ostomy care, and vascular and inflammatory bowel diseases. An excellent new chapter on laparoscopic colorectal surgery describes the technical aspects of each laparoscopic procedure. All chapters are well written, concise, easy to read, and present useful up-to-date treatment algorithms and extensive references. Brief biographies of “surgical giants” provide an understanding of surgical history and the evolution of surgical operations. The illustrations, particularly those of operative techniques, are superb and are among the highlights of the book. Overall, this edition of Colon and Rectal Surgery is nicely illustrated, well written, and comprehensively addresses all aspects of colorectal disease. It is a practical and clinically oriented book for all general surgeons and surgical residents in training, and should be on the shelf of any surgeon treating benign or malignant colorectal disease.