Plastic Surgery: Facts

Reviews / Votes

Mr Stone is to be congratulated on producing the first comprehensive set of preparatory notes relevant to the Intercollegiate Board Examination in Plastic Surgery. This book is a set of notes that the author collated during his preparation for the FRCS(Plast) examination, and is published as a set of annotated topic-centred lists. The overall structure of the book reflects the syllabus of the examination. Thus, the chapters begin with skin lesions, running through topics such as craniofacial surgery, head and neck tumours and reconstruction, to aesthetic surgery and laser techniques. Each chapter is well organized and comprehensive. There are a number of self test sections, which consist of questions in the style of examination vivas, with model answers summarized in point form. Another useful feature is the list of related papers following each topic. Key papers are listed, with relevant figures quoted. The book is certainly no substitute for a proper general textbook, and needs to be supplemented by wide reading including journals and review publications such as Selected Readings in Plastic Surgery. We would not recommend this book as a first read, as the information is detailed but without full explanation. The basic principles - biological, anatomical, pathological and surgical - for each topic should be obtained from main texts. The main advantage of a book like this is its brevity. It provides a sound structure around which to base revision and certainly gives the reader a flavour of the range of topics covered in the FRCS(Plast) syllabus. In parts it is difficult to read, and unavoidably represents a personal viewpoint, which some readers may disagree with. Examination techniques are mentioned briefly and may require elaboration, while some diagrams (e.g. Furlow palate repair) would have been helpful. A more detailed index would improve the value of the book as a quick reference - Finkelstein's test, for instance, is in the text but not indexed. The author passed the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) (Plastic) examination in 1999. This publication is a compilation of notes made while systematically studying for this exam. It contains a very well organized approach to the study of reconstructive plastic surgery, reflected by the orderly arrangement of information conveyed in a concentrated format. Some topics are discussed in a series of short sentences but most of the text is in the form of 'dot points'. Most of the information is a summary from standard texts, although many topics are dealt with by providing a synopsis from either a landmark paper from the past or a more recent journal article covering current developments. The author warns that this book does not provide a short cut to studying. He indicates that many areas are controversial and invites readers to amend areas of text and to use it as an 'exercise book' during a period of structured revision. Other useful advice about developing a systematic approach to studying for the Fellowship exam is also contained in the introduction. I think that this book would be most useful towards the end of one's study programme to cross-check that the syllabus has been covered in the appropriate depth and breadth required for a Fellowship exam. Some areas are inappropriate for Australasian candidates, such as melanoma management. The recommended excisional margins for primary melanoma (p. 38) should be amended by Australasian readers using Clinical Practice Guide Lines, The Management of Cutaneous Melanoma published by the NHMRC and Australian Cancer Network (compiled June 1999). One could be critical of the author's selection of more recent journal articles, which has been summarized in the text. This very concise publication will be useful, not only to trainees approaching their exam, but also practicing plastic surgeons. This will appeal to all perioperative practitioners who specialise in plastic surgery . Designed primarily as a revision aid for medical practitioners studying for their FRCS (plastic) exam, the format of this book makes easy reading. It is highly recommended for any practitioner who specialises in plastic surgery and maybe (sic) involved in teaching, or for any practitioner commencind a cllinical placement within a plastics operating theatre and seeking detailed information. Each subject contains a comprehensive overview that includes relevant anatomy and physiology, aetiology, pathology, clinical symptoms and surgical treatment as well (sic) a rationale for required anaesthetic techniques. Content covered includes principles of plastic surgery, classification of skin grafts, hand, breast, cleft, head and neck surgery, as well as surgical management of burns. There is also a useful section on laser surgery.