In most parts of the world the treatment of adults with surgically correctable abnormalities of the thorax and its contents is provided by specially trained thoracic surgeons. On the other hand, in children pediatric general surgeons usually take on this role because of their training in the surgical care of sick infants and children, and their experience with the management of congenital malformations. In an ideal world the treatment of surgical disorders of the thorax in children would be provided by a super specialist, but this is neither practical nor possible. This text provides information that will help bridge the gap for a group of conditions often only encountered rarely by otherwise experienced surgeons. This book is not designed to be a textbook of operative surgery. Instead the broad scope is to provide important up to date information and reference material relating to most of the thoracic surgical conditions seen in childhood. The editors and contributors have ably met their goal to give the reader the proper medical and surgical principles needed to treat these childhood conditions. One can't help to note the impressive array of authors from around the world. When I first started out in pediatric surgery only a few pediatric surgeons in a few centers would dare tackle some of the abnormalities noted in these chapters. Others who dared, because they had no other choice, often failed. Now it is clear that globalization has truly come to our discipline.
Pediatric Thoracic Surgery provides comprehensive coverage of the newer developments and the most up-to-date information on many areas showing that morbidity in thoracic surgery has been immensely reduced as a result of new minor technical changes, significantly improving outcome. Recently, innovative flaps for broncho-pleural fistulas in children have helped to reduce morbidity, more aggressive surgery for thoracic malignancies in children have helped to improve their outcome and some of the newer materials and technological advances have changed overall outlook for thoracic wall tumours. Similarly, the outcome of pediatric thoracic trauma and some of the rare conditions have improved because of better understanding and operative interventions. Delayed intervention by preoperative stabilisation is an example of better understanding of the pathological process.
Pediatric Thoracic Surgery, with contributions from experts worldwide, covers the field (non-cardiac) in significant depth and is a useful reference work for pediatric and thoracic surgeons. It is also a valuable guide for both adult and pediatric surgeons managing pediatric thoracic surgery on occasional basis or only during acute emergency. Pediatric respiratory physicians, anesthetists and fetal medicine doctors will also find this work of interest.
From the reviews:
"This book covers the surgical problems of children from sternal notch to diaphragm. ? This is a well-written book at a level that should be understandable to students, residents, fellows, and experienced pediatric surgeons. ? This is a good, current, well-illustrated and well-referenced book on almost all of the thoracic problems of childhood that are likely to come to the attention of a pediatric surgeon. Even the most experienced among us will find interesting, new, and relevant information within its covers." (Robert M Arensman, Doody's Review Service, October, 2009)
