World J Surg (2008) 32:128
DOI 10.1007/s00268-007-9292-z
BOOK REVIEWS
Maingot’s Abdominal Operations. Edited by Michael J. Zinner
and Stanley W. Ashley, 1309 pp, 11th edition. McGraw-Hill
Medical, 2007. ISBN-13:978-0-07-144176-6,
ISBN-10:0-07-144176-X, hardcover, 7.1 pounds. $259.00
(amazon.com)
Samir Johna
Published online: 17 November 2007
Ó Société Internationale de Chirurgie 2007
‘‘The surgeon must operate by sight, not by faith,’’ said Sir
Rodney Maingot (1893–1982) and thus launched his
‘‘eternal’’ book. For almost seven decades a large number
of surgeons have found their abdominal surgical needs met
in Maingot’s Abdominal Operations, a comprehensive
reference on the surgical pathology of the abdominal cav-
ity, management strategies, and detailed operative
techniques. Since then, however, surgery has made dra-
matic progress; and with this progress, some old techniques
had to be modified and some new procedures were added,
paving the way, more than ever, for a new subspecialty of
surgery—abdominal (Europeans call it visceral) surgery.
With this in mind, 111 surgeons from all over the world,
some seasoned and others young and promising, joined
forces under the leadership of two new editors, Michael J.
Zinner, and Stanely W. Ashley, and took upon themselves
the task of a total revision of this valuable book through its
11th edition.
On a positive note, this edition includes comprehensive
coverage of a full spectrum of diseases, by region,
addressing the basics of pathology and essential guidance
on preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative inter-
ventions. When applicable, guidelines are incorporated to
ensure best surgical practices, as supported by outcome
studies. The operative procedures are featured by hundreds
of new illustrations with new complex anatomic drawings.
For ease of use, this edition is condensed into one rea-
sonably sized volume, in contrast to the previous two
volumes.
S. Johna (&)
Loma Linda University School of Medicine,
Loma Linda, CA, USA
e-mail: samir.johna@gmail.com
123
Perhaps among the most important features of this edi-
tion is the emphasis placed on endoscopy, minimally
invasive surgery, and the advanced technology that has
found its way into the armamentarium of the modern
general surgeon. More than 10 chapters are dedicated to a
wide range of surgical problems that are managed by
endoscopy and minimally invasive surgery.
On a negative note, there is a complete absence of
abdominal trauma and vascular surgery, both of which are
still widely practiced by general surgeons worldwide. This
will certainly push such surgeons to seek other references
to satisfy their needs. I also noticed that some of the pic-
tures used for illustration are of inferior black and white
quality.
Overall, the book is an excellent reference for surgeons
at all levels, starting with surgical residents and progressing
to the staff and academic surgeons who must revisit a
subject in preparation for an uncommon procedure or to
review a subject prior to teaching rounds or didactics. Its
simple style, with easy-to-understand English, makes it a
valuable reference that can be used by surgeons all over the
world, including areas where English is a second language.
After reviewing numerous chapters of interest in this
edition, I am convinced that this book is a ‘‘must have’’ for
all of those pursuing general surgery as a career. It calls for,
and deserves, a distinguished place on the shelves of all
medical libraries, libraries in departments of surgery, and
our personal libraries, as it has been since its inception by
Rodney Maingot in 1940.