Intensive Care. Proceedings of the Eighth Pfizer International Symposium. Edited W. F. Walker and D. E. M. Taylor. 235 × 155 mm. Pp. 248. Illustrated. 1975. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. £9.50

Abstract

I90 x 250 mm. Pp. 483. Illustrated. 1975. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. f4.75.horseshoe kidney which seems to envisage that the isthmus will be divided, though the indications for this procedure are not discussed. Incidentally, the authors state that the isthmus is often found behind or between the aorta and vena cava, a high artistic quality. The text though intended to be brief lacks some very essential information on certain subjects. There is a surg'Lal "urary' tendency to perpetuate procedures from the past which are now seldom used.For examination purposes the authors hope that this book will give an appreciation of the fundamental and finer points of urology. It certainly gives some fundamental information, but on many subjects the finer points are lacking. This book would prove of value to the undergraduate student or the senior nurse engaged in urological practice, but it would be of little help to the postgraduate student studying for a higher diploma or for the general surgeon seeking more information on urology.It is interesting to note that this book was printed in Hong Kong. W. SELBYTULLOCH Surgical Urology. A Handbook of Operative Surgery R. H. Flocks and David A. Culp, Iowa. Fourth edition. 2lOx 150 mm. Pp. 575, with 162 illustrations. 1975. London: Lloyd-Luke. f18.10.THE Flocks and Culp handbook of operative urology has been a familiar volume for over 20 years and has now gone into its fourth edition. It is perhaps better known in the United States than in Britain, but many urological trainees throughout the world must have consulted it. The present edition is larger than the previous ones and an extensive section on treatment for prostate cancer has been added, this being one of Dr Flocks's particular interests. The section on renal calculi has also been enlarged with great benefit. It is liberally illustrated by line drawings, by Paul Ver Vais, which show very clearly the points described in the text, and these alone are often sufficient to makeclear what is beingundertaken in any particular operation.It must be said, however, that the layout of the work is a little confusing, in that there are chapters of general discussion of operative treatment following the longer sections on the specific operative technique, and some of the discussion chapters are very badly in need of revision. 'Elusive ulcer' of the bladder, to be treated by the instillation of silver nitrate, does not figure very largely in modern urology; it seems doubtful whether anyone else would defend the proposition that the bladder neck obstruction is a common condition in infancy, and the disorder described as prolapse of the bladder commonly occurring in female infants without, apparently, any other abnormality is one that has never entered my experience.It is difficult to see the value of a two-page description of renal physiology, as surely any surgeon contemplating the types of operation described here would at least be better informed on the function of the kidney. There is a tendency to describe several methods of oper...