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Ann Thorac Surg 1995;60:1052
© 1995 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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Review of Recent Books

Thoracic Surgery

See also page 1048.

The new textbook entitled Thoracic Surgery is not light reading. It is an extensive reference text on elements of general thoracic surgery, except diseases of the esophagus, which are part of a companion volume, Esophageal Surgery. Each chapter is very complete but sufficiently concise to avoid being exhaustive. An attractive feature is a remarkable consistency among the chapters and illustrations, which makes for easier reading. This is probably because each chapter is reviewed early by one of the six senior authors with input during the formative stages and culminated by a brief discussion entitled ``Comments and Controversies'' at the end of the chapter. All chapters were subsequently modified and reviewed by all six senior authors. There is also a section of key references with a brief summary at the end of each chapter, which is informative. The illustrations are remarkably simple and understandable.

The text begins with a magnificent historical review of general thoracic surgery, which I could not stop reading until I had finished. It progresses through every phase of anatomy and physiology and diagnostic modalities before delving into the classic surgical topics. I could find no topic, no matter how esoteric, that was omitted. My only criticism might be the size and the weight of the text, which perhaps would be better included in two volumes rather than one.

This text has a strong Toronto influence. As a student of thoroughbred racing and knowing the importance of pedigrees, I could not help but recall the great Canadian-bred champion, Northern Dancer. This horse has established the dominant ``sire line'' in modern US and European racing. It is easy to draw a parallel to the surgeons emerging from Toronto under the influence of that great academic general thoracic surgery sire, Dr F. Griffith Pearson and his surgical offspring. However, the text is not parochial because hybrid vigor has been established by outbreeding to approximately 130 other authors.

I highly recommend this text as an excellent reference for all thoracic surgeons and thoracic surgical residents.

Footnotes

Edited by F. Griffith Pearson New York, Churchill Livingstone, 1995 1,679 pp, illustrated, $185.00

Reviewed by J. Kent Trinkle, MD

San Antonio, Texas

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