Basic and Well Beyond in Pediatric Surgery

Pediatric Surgery

BOOK REVIEW Pediatric Surgery Basics and Well Beyond in Pediatric Surgery A review of Urologic Surgery in Infants and Children by Lowell R. King, Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 297 pages, 1998 [Rev Urol. 1999;1(4):215] U rologic Surgery in Infants and Children, the combined work of 32 authors organized by Dr. Lowell R. King, represents another in the series of excellent interim books that attempt to fill the gap between editions of major texts. Dr. King has tried to provide a succinct work that is not meant to compete with the more encyclopedic texts, which cover topics in much greater depth. He sets the goals for the book in the preface: “To present the best methods of patient management as clearly and as succinctly as possible.” It is directed to readers with a basic background in urology who want an easyto-read text with a practical approach to the main problems in pediatric urology. Extremely controversial topics are purposely not covered. The book has 21 chapters divided anatomically by organ with an intersex chapter, prune-belly chapter, and a chapter on pediatric trauma. Some chapters stand out as succinct yet cover the material as completely as necessary for the specific readership. The chapters on Wilms’ tumor, sarcoma, and testis tumors, by different authors, when combined are a perfect review and meet exactly the objectives of the text. Other chapters cover the topics so thoroughly they could serve as a resource for the urologist practicing solely in pediatric urology at a tertiary medical center. The chapters on the surgical correction of incontinence in myelodysplastic children, continent urinary diversion, and ureteroileocecal sigmoidostomy are examples of chapters that are comprehensive, authoritative, and current. The chapter on hypospadias is similar but does not include the Snodgrass procedure that has quickly become widely accepted since the text was published. Many new diagrams are included of the surgical approaches to pediatric problems. Where new diagrams are not used, good reproductions from other texts and articles are included. The chapters concerning bladder and bladder neck reconstruction, exstrophy, and hydronephrosis use numerous diagrams to review the surgical approach to these problems. Although controversial issues are not covered in the text, a short discussion of the recent issues related to sex assignment in situations of early androgen exposure and a succinct method of evaluating and managing intersex disorders probably should have been included. Overall, this text is right on the mark and recommended for the practitioner who wants an update on current pediatric urologic topics and surgical approaches. The more comprehensive chapters will benefit even the more specialized pediatric urologists. ■ Book reviewed by Patrick McKenna, MD University of Connecticut Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Hartford, Conn. FALL 1999 REVIEWS IN UROLOGY 215