REVIEW
A s a service to our readers, Plastic and Recon-
structive Surgery reviews books, DVDs, prac-
tice management software, and electronic media
items of educational interest to reconstructive
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Surgery does not endorse or recommend any
review so published. Send books, DVDs, and
any other material for consideration to: Arun
K. Gosain, M.D., Review Editor, Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery, Brookriver Executive Cen-
ter, 8150 Brookriver Drive, Suite S-415, Dallas,
Texas 75247.
Arun K. Gosain, M.D.
Review Editor
100 Hand Cases
By Martin I. Boyer and James Chang. Pp. 250. CRC Press,
Boca Raton, Fla., 2016. Price: $129.95.
T he two authors
provide a con-
cise synopsis of clini-
cal presentation,
diagnosis, anatomy,
workup, and treat-
ment for 100 cases
of the more com-
monly seen hand
conditions. Topics
are arranged alpha-
betically, starting
with amputations
and arthritis and
progressing through
burns, congenital,
and contractures and
finally ending in tendons, tumors, and vascular
disorders. Each case starts with a clinical vignette
accompanying a single clinical or radiographic
photograph and concludes with pearls and pit-
falls and one to three classic references. Each
entire case is formatted to two sides of a page.
These problem-based cases run the gamut of
upper extremity surgery much as if a senior sur-
geon were having a preoperative discussion with
Copyright 2016 by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
www.PRSJournal.com
Copyright 2016 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
a learner, although the authors also hope there
is enough in the book for surgeons of every level.
The authors have succeeded in covering the
broad spectrum of hand cases in a novel manner
and, to a large extent, each case is well-covered.
The downloadable eBook makes this book por-
table, supplanting the laboratory coat pocket
size handbook of old. However, although there is
undoubtedly a lot to be said for concise editing
and a structured format for each case, it is often
what is left unsaid or is not covered that is more
important than what is said. Obviously, a full-size
textbook by multiple authors can be inconsis-
tent in providing the necessary information and
is cumbersome. However, a brief text may be too
perfunctory, leaving the reader lacking in infor-
mation and having to use other sources to look
up information. A large amount of knowledge is
packed into this concisely edited text in a prob-
lem-orientated case management manner.
However, in many cases, I feel that the format
may be too rigid. An explanatory line diagram
(with the implication that a picture is worth 1000
words) would in many cases be very helpful and
probably still not exceed the two-page limit for
each case (because most cases are well within that
page limit). For example, boutonnire, instabili-
ties, repairs, and carpal angles would be admirably
illustrated in this way. The learner may have to go
to other sources to better understand pathome-
chanics, for example, and may find the format of
this book too limitingperhaps that is the goal of
the book (i.e., to provide initial answers and then
to stimulate further reading).
Most topics are well covered, but I was sur-
prised that the soft-tissue section was the most
disappointing. Soft-tissue coverage lends itself
to regionalized choicesaround the shoulder,
elbow, forearm, wrist and hand, and fingers. The
only soft-tissue coverage was for a volar proximal
finger wound. One can hunt in the book and
find a few other cases, such as the wound on the
dorsum of the hand in the extravasation injury.
I believe many would potentially want such a
book to look up what flap they might preferen-
tially use for a specific deficit. This book will not
provide that information. Obviously, 100 cases is
a nice round number, but 110 cases could have
been equally catching in the title and covered
those few regional flap choices. A search through
the book will find fingertip and thumb tip, an
Disclosure: Dr. Netscher is Deputy Editor of J ournal
of Hand Surgery.
265
 Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery January 2017

olecranon wound, and an axillary wound. There
is also very little information on bone defects.
Overall, the single case photographs are well
selected. I know how difficult it is to find a classic
representation for each condition, but sometimes
the case photograph is confusing. Necrotizing fas-
ciitis is represented, for example, by an already
dbrided wound. Olecranon bursitis is repre-
sented not by a bursa but by a wound covered by
a flap. The axillary gunshot is represented by a
radiograph showing multiple bullet fragments
and a plated humerus. An additional photograph
with the wound would be helpful.
Finally, a very small point: sometimes the
cases are on opposite sides of a page and on other
occasions they are on facing pages. The latter
obviously makes an easier read.
Despite my criticisms, the authors have suc-
ceeded in their task of creating a novel case-
based text that covers most of the spectrum of
clinical scenarios that will be encountered by the
hand surgeon. It is very difficult to be succinct
and yet not leave the reader wanting for missing
essential information. Sometimes, I (as a reader
reviewer) did find myself being restricted by the
rigid format, but most of the book is helpful and
I would recommend it for the learner in hand
surgery.
DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000002927
David T. Netscher, M.D.

Contacting the Editorial Office

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Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Rod J. Rohrich, M.D., Editor-in-Chief
8150 Brookriver Drive
South Tower, Floor 4, Suite S-415
Dallas, Texas 75247
Tel: 469-801-4400
Fax: 847-709-7534
E-mail: PRS@plasticsurgery.org

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Copyright 2016 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.