The author, a British anesthetist well known for his many contributions to the subject of neurosurgical anesthesia, has condensed in this book a wealth of useful information, largely derived from his extensive clinical practice. He has managed to cover the whole field of anesthesia for neurosurgery with an eminently practical approach, yet not omitting necessary basic considerations.
The initial chapters deal with such topics as physiology and pathology of intracranial pressure, effects of premedication and the commonly used anesthetic agents, and problems related to airway and position of patient. These lay the foundation for the following chapters in which anesthetic techniques, use of hypotension and hypothermia, fluid replacement and conservative care of head injuries are thoroughly discussed. The chaper devoted to "special considerations during particular neurosurgical operations" should prove of invaluable help to anyone engaged in the administration of anesthesia for intracranial surgery.
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