more focused general surgery resident may find these topicsextraneous and irrelevant. Another criticism of this text may bethat it contains too many pictures in relation to the accompa-nying text. As an example, the concept of isolated limb perfu-sion in melanoma has a very nice diagram with only one line ofdescriptive text.

In summary, this book is a very nice addition to any sur-geon’s library, as long as the reader understands the concept ofthe word “short” in the title. This book covers a myriad oftopics, each briefly described, and geared to medical studentsand junior surgical residents.

LOUIS BALSAMA, MDDepartment of SurgeryLehigh Valley Hospital

Allentown, PennsylvaniaPII S0149-7944(02)00641-4

Clinical Nutrition: Parenteral Nutrition. 3rded.Rombeau JL, Rolandelli RH, eds. Philadelphia, Pa: W. B.Saunders; 2001, 640 pp, $110.00.

Any health practitioner that manages parenteral nutrition in aninpatient or an outpatient setting needs a definitive resourcethat deals with core topics such as nutritional physiology andspecific aspects, such as the nutritional needs of patients withacute pancreatitis. This text is an excellent resource.

Parenteral nutrition is often a complicated and poorly under-stood intervention that requires a great deal of expertise. Al-though the study of the physiology of nutrition dates back tothe 18th century, total parenteral nutrition is a fairly youngpractice. This text prefaces this broad field with a chapter de-voted to the history of nutrition. The authors recall the manymilestones that shaped this form of nutrition and how ourknowledge of nutritional physiology was advanced by variousresearch pioneers.

In his preface, Dr. Rolandelli notes how Dr. Rombeau’s earlywritings of nutritional support have evolved into the completetext that we have today. The editors’ goals are clear. They pro-vide practitioners with up-to-date information regarding nutri-tional support with excellent references from experts in thefield. Secondly, they provide input from various specialties thatare involved with parenteral nutrition, including physicians,nurses, and administrators. Lastly, each edition, now the third,demonstrates advances and changes from prior editions.

This resource concisely examines the multiple aspects of par-enteral nutrition, such as lipids, trace elements, proteins, and soon. It includes an excellent chapter on intravenous access, thevarious technical approaches, and the benefits and risks of eachprocedure. The chapter that will be of most use to surgeons isthe chapter on perioperative nutritional support. This well-written chapter discusses the preoperative assessment of nutri-tional status, markers to monitor throughout therapy, and keyissues, such as diabetes, liver, and kidney disease, which shouldbe addressed in tailoring nutritional support.

Several chapters are devoted to clinical syndromes and dis-ease states, such as bone disease, short bowel syndrome, andeven AIDS. Other chapters deal with aspects of nutrition in theobese patient, renal failure, trauma and burns, gastrointestinalfistulas, liver disease, and cardiopulmonary disease. Some chap-ters focus on age groups from neonates and the pediatric pop-ulation to the elderly. Finally, this text includes chapters onhome or outpatient nutritional support and the financial con-siderations of providing parenteral nutrition.

Each of the chapters is concise and is supported by soundclinical data. The authors discuss current topics and even ex-plore possible future advances. In short, this text is a resource forvirtually all practitioners who manage intravenous nutrition.

TITO VASQUEZ, MDDepartment of Surgery

St. Luke’s HospitalBethlehem, Pennsylvania

PII S0149-7944(01)00593-1

Comprehensive UrologyWeiss RM, George NJ, O’Reilly P. New York, NY:Mosby; 2001, 744 pp, $239.00.

This enlightening text compiled by the editors is an impressivecompact presentation of the field of urology. The format is veryeasy to read and follow. Over 80 contributing internationalauthors provide a broad view of the significant aspects of urol-ogy.

The chapters display brevity, but this does not detract fromthe delivery nor the significance of the information that theycontain. It is impressive that this condensed text was so inclu-sive. The abundant use of illustrations, charts, figures, and ta-bles provide a smooth flow. This method of presentation carriesover from chapter to chapter. The clarity of the photographsand x-rays are impressive in their ability to depict what theauthors are attempting to illustrate.

The book provides an excellent review of the entire field ofurology. The basic science chapters on anatomy, embryology,and physiology are written in a simple, easy to understand, andrelevant fashion. I particularly enjoyed the presentation of thechapters on embryology and physiology. The leading chapter inthis text is entitled “Landmarks in the History of Urology.” Ifound this chapter to be very interesting and engaging. Thesections that follow proceed in a rational fashion with the basicsciences, review of urologic investigative procedures, pediatricurology, benign urologic conditions, urologic oncology, benignconditions of the lower urinary tract, and miscellaneous topics,including lasers in urology and radiation therapy and chemo-therapy for urologic malignancies.

A pragmatic delivery of information style is maintainedthroughout the book. This approach delivers the informationof a much larger text in a concise manner. The authors providea comprehensive list of references for each chapter if more detailis desired by the reader.

CURRENT SURGERY • Volume 59/Number 3 • May/June 2002 287