TEXTBOOK OF ENDOCRINE SURGERY. Orlo H. Clark and Quan-Yang Duh. 688 pp. Illust. W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia; Harcourt Brace & Co. Canada, Ltd., Toronto. 1997. Can$211. ISBN 0-7216-5882-1
Practising surgeons who have to deal with patient endocrine problems should be familiar with this book. Authored by 120 internationally recognized authorities, thoroughly compiled, organized and edited by the dean of the international endocrine surgical community, Dr. Orlo Clark, and his associate, Quan-Yang Duh, this premier work belongs in every medical library, every surgical resident’s workroom and on the desk of all surgeons interested in endocrine surgery — surgery of the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenals and pancreas.
Eighty-one chapters or topics extensively cover all clinical endocrine conditions and problems treated by the practising surgeon. The chapters are uniformly subtitled so basic physiology, anatomy, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management can quickly be scanned for practical advice or can be studied in depth as needed. Each chapter concludes with a summary and pertinent references for a quick overview or detailed study, whether by the seeking student or the reflecting surgeon.
Illustrations and tables, although not profuse, seem adequate, even though the pages are heavy with double-column script. In spite of this the book attracts and entices the reader to seek more of the information provided.
This book is without rival today in presenting the content and practice of a rising new international discipline — endocrine surgery.