Eur J Anaesthesiol 2016; 33:700
BOOK REVIEW
Oxford Handbook of Anaesthesia, 4th edn
Published online 15 July 2016
Keith G. Allman and Iain H. Wilson,
Oxford University Press; 2016
ISBN 978-0-19-871941-0, Price £29.99
The Oxford Handbook series is well known and popular
amongst anaesthetists both in and out of training. The
Oxford Handbook of Anaesthesia continues with its
winning formula of combining practical advice with
essential background information on systemic conditions
and their practical applications to anaesthetic practice. In
this fourth edition, the original format is continued along
with a new chapter on anaesthesia for obesity, crucial
given the current global impact of obesity and implica-
tions to every type of anaesthetic.
The target readership is clinician anaesthetists facing
practical clinical problems, but other theatre practitioners
will benefit from the advice given, namely theatre prac-
titioners and nurses involved in both operating theatre
and pre-assessment work.
The book is divided into 44 chapters, with logical pro-
gression from general considerations, consent and risks to
relevant medical diseases impacting anaesthesia, and
finally some detailed chapters on sub-specialty anaes-
thetic practice. UK anaesthetists have predominantly
provided the content, but a number of new international
authors have been added for their expertise and knowl-
edge. All the chapters are comprehensive, presented in
sub-sections with text delivered in an easy-to-read bullet-
point format, and with liberal use of simple tables sum-
marising important information.
Chapters on anaesthesia by specialty open with key
information displayed in useful tables, indicating likely
operative duration, postoperative pain levels, and
possible anaesthetic technique options. As with previous
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editions, the obstetric and paediatric sections are exten-
sive in their content but highly relevant focusing on
physiology and pharmacology, with practical advice and
information on specialist anaesthetic conduct and manage-
ment in emergency scenarios, with quick reference guides
for practical advice when faced with these scenarios.
In this edition, in comparison with previous ones there is
added emphasis on the critically ill patient and anaes-
thetic emergencies, with an entire colour-coded section
for quick and easy reference. Importantly, all emergency
scenarios are reinforced with well recognised algorithms,
for example the UK Difficult Airway Society guidelines,
forming part of helpful action plans. The practical anaes-
thesia section incorporates a number of varied yet
relevant topical issues ranging from target-controlled
infusions to herbal medicines and anaesthesia. Regional
anaesthesia, best learnt with the use of images, is done in
exactly this format with excellent use of schematic ana-
tomical diagrams and ultrasound images in addition to a
concise summary of relevant clinical knowledge on the
conduct of regional techniques. An extensive drug for-
mulary and anaesthetic data section adds to the variety of
content in this book.
In conclusion, this updated edition of the Oxford Hand-
book series continues to be an excellent pocket-portable
textbook, providing comprehensive clinical information
in essential, relevant and useful points. It is very easy to
navigate, readable, and is a practical guide to the practice
of anaesthesia. It will be attractive to a wide audience,
from trainee to experienced consultant and theatre teams
in general.
Dr Christine Sathananthan
Specialty Registrar in Anaesthesia
Central School of Anaesthesia
London, UK
DOI:10.1097/EJA.0000000000000522