Though this book contains numerous clear illustrations, it is far more than an atlas, since a brief but very informative text discusses all aspects of the diseases considered in the volume. But of greater importance, it includes a distillate of wisdom of a recognized authority who has devoted a great share of his professional life to this single anatomic area.
The application of sound judgment is nowhere more important than in surgery of the biliary tree. The author has succeeded admirably in his presentation of decisions to be taken when, as commonly happens, preoperative evidence is incomplete or conflicting, or when the operative procedure is confused by the disease process.
Other surgeons obviously will have some differences of opinion about the application of certain techniques. For example, a more determined effort to secure a patent ampulla of Vater is preferred by many. If this is done, the necessity of immediate