BOOK REVIEWS

A Primer of Laparoscopic Surgery by Deepak S Bhandarkar, Published by Bhalani Publishing House, Mumbai.

‘What was once an imagination’, is a fact now. The most significant advance in Gastrointestinal surgery has been the evolution of ‘Minimally Invasive Surgery’. The advantages are so obvious and now proved beyond doubt that even the most staunch opponent to it has laid down its arms in favour of MIS. It is difficult for any surgeon to practice in todays scenario without the Laparoscope in his armamentarium. It is therefore necessary for all young surgeons and the newer budding surgical residents and the medical students to know the ins and outs of Laparoscopic surgery. Also the senior generation, unwilling to learn a new technique and the General Practitioners, are required to at least know the basics of Laparoscopic surgery. It is in this context that ‘A Primer of Laparoscopic Surgery’ by Dr. Deepraj S Bhandarkar is a perfect book providing the basic knowledge about the current spectrum of Laparoscopic surgery.

Dr. Bhandarkar has given us a good overall view about the laparoscopic surgery starting from its history, the current scenario and the future. The drawbacks of open surgery, the benefits of Laparoscopic surgery, over these drawbacks, its indications, limitations and contraindications are all enlisted in a very simple understandable language which probably even a non medical person would understand. The knowledge of basic instrumentation and their handling is worth knowing before impinging on the procedure itself.

Dr. Bhandarkar has practically covered all the current Laparoscopic procedures applied in general surgery with their indication, contraindications, preoperative work up, the actual procedure, post operative care and the possible complication. An honest word in comparing Laparoscopic surgery to open surgery for various conditions is truly appreciable. The current status of Laparoscopic surgery for hernia and appendix in our type of clinical setup couldn’t be more precise and unbiased.

This book not only provides information regarding commonly performed lap procedure, but a word on every possible lap and lap assisted procedure has been written to make the reader aware about the current application of lap surgery. The future technological advances pertinent to laparoscopic surgery are also discussed in a separate chapter.

At the beginning of each chapter, Dr. Bhandarkar has made use of some famous quotations relevant to the particular chapter and has been honest enough to name the author of the quotations too.

The diagrams are simple sketches which are very helpful in understanding the text. The language used is also simple English which makes the text of the complex Lap procedure appear so simple and easy.

There is one drawback and that is in regard to the late or long term complications of lap surgery, particularly lap cholycystectomy. Because lap cholycystectomy is now nearly a decade old and being routinely performed at many centres and in adequate nos., a word on long term effects, complications and sequelae to the procedure would have been worth a mention in this otherwise meticulously written book.

In a nutshell, ‘A Primer of lap surgery’ by Dr. DS Bhandarkar is an excellent, very informative and simple book on lap surgery which will prove a true primer before the application of colour of lap surgery knowledge of any reader.

Dr. Niranjan AggarwalHon. Asso. Surgeon,Bombay Hospital.

Thyroid Cancer, An Indian Perspective. Editor DH Shah, AM Samuel, RS Rao (Quest Publications, 1999 Radiation medicine centre).

Radiation Medicine Centre (RMC) has long been involved in diagnosis and management of thyroid cancer. It was desired and expected that a book on the considerable Indian experience in this disease should come out from RMC. The surprise is why it has taken so long!

The book is a comprehensive compilation of various aspects of thyroid cancer, beginning with its epidemiology, physiology and aetiology, presentation and investigative procedures and management. Of special note is the preface and contents section, which gives an excellent summary and birds eye view of what the book has to offer.

The chapters are well arranged, in continuity, with easy to read print and lucid style.

Extensive discussion is presented on management including surgery and radio iodine therapy. The references are exhaustive.

An important feature of this book is the section on "Experience of other Institute of India" with authors from Delhi, Vellore, Madras, Trivandrum and Uttar Pradesh.

Overall, it is a very well written book, which gives a "one stop" offering of all one wants to know about thyroid cancer. The Editors should be complimented on their effort in brining out this much needed treatise.

This book is a very important reference book for everyone involved in management thyroid disorders especially thyroid cancer, and should be in all medical libraries.

Dr. Vikram Lele (MD (Med.)—Chief of Nuclear MedicineJaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai.