A surgical atlas, to be successful, should clearly delineate in graphic detail how the author performs the operative procedure, special techniques that simplify the operation, and how to avoid "surgical traps" that lead to postoperative complications. Rob and Smith's Operative Surgery: Paediatric Surgery, fourth edition, largely accomplishes those preestablished goals.
The scope and extent of the material have been enlarged in accordance with the rapid development and increasing sophistication of the specialty over the past few years. Of particular importance are the introductory chapters on transport of the neonate, preoperative and postoperative management, and anesthesia. The subsequent chapters include not only the indications for operation but also the postoperative complications and statistics on morbidity and mortality. The preoperative evaluation remains particularly sketchy, and I was disappointed to find no mention made of arterial blood gas determination in resuscitation of babies with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
The illustrations are adequate and internally