Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery
Unknown authors
Abstract
AS a new graduate the aim of becoming a competent, efficient surgeon is indeed exciting. However, in reality, being a vet with limited experience can be daunting and a time when we still spend many hours with our heads in books, despite no longer being students. This book aims to support veterinary undergraduates in their clinical years of study and new graduates completing the RCVS’s professional development phase (PDP) in their first year of practice. While not being an extensive or in-depth surgical treatise in comparison to the well-known texts, such as ‘Fossum’, it is a more accessible version that provides valuable guidance and support for new vets starting out in practice. However, I would also warrant it to be a valuable text for all general practitioners as a quick and easy-touse reference. The author starts by covering the basics of surgery from Halsted principles – gowning and draping and suture materials – and then moves on to provide a comprehensive overview of the common procedures and conditions encountered in general practice, including the surgical techniques required for day 1 and year 1 competencies. While being simple to read and understand, the text still provides sufficient information on how to investigate, diagnose and treat common surgical conditions. It is not only a how-to book of surgery, but also a guide to the management of any case that may become surgical; for example, in the chapter on ‘ovarian and uterine surgery’ the authors include essential information on normal parturition, indications for caesarean section in cases of dystocia, neonatal resuscitation, postoperative management and complications, as well as the basic surgical technique for the procedure. The book is well laid out. The author has written it in a style that is easy to read and understand, and the text is accessible to dip in-and-out of as needed. The illustrations are clear and suited for their target audience, although it is a shame that they are not in colour. Divided into anatomical regions where the relevant surgical conditions are covered, each chapter has a set of learning objectives aimed at supporting veterinary undergraduate students. At the end of the text there is also a self-assessment section, covering each chapter to consolidate learning. It is certainly a book for budding surgeons.