Cardiothoracic surgery [antikvár]

Introduction The third Edition of this volume in the general series Operative Surgery takes its foundations from its predecessors and I am grateful to the previous volume editor, Mr. W. P. Cleland, for his advice and help in re-arranging the text so as to reflect the change in title from Thorax to Cardiothoracic Surgery. In this re-arrangement, the more complicated and less common operations follow minor and investigatory procedures in a more or less logical manner so that it should be possible to locate any one chapter without continual reference to the index. Where possible each chapter follows the same pattern: an outline of investigations and indications followed by the operation and finally details of postoperative care. All the operations are well-tried, standard procedures calling for a degree of technical competence and considerable surgical experience. Each surgeon has been encouraged to describe his own method, to include pitfalls and complications and to mention or describe alternative procedures where appropriate. In surgery for congenital heart disease the trend has been more and more away from palliation and multiple-stage operations and towards complete and total correction of the abnormal anatomy and, when this is not possible, a physiological re-arrangement of the haemodynamics. Likewise in adult cardiac surgery the primary aim has been complete repair or correction, with excision and replacement as the alternative when it is considered to provide the better long-term result. Since the last edition vein bypass grafting has replaced the palliative procedures that were then the only available treatment for coronary artery disease and its complications. In spite of the continued development of new antibiotics, empyema and tuberculosis are stül with us, and their careful surgical management remains essential for success and long-term survival. New chapters have been included on post-resection empyema, infected pneumonectomy space and bronchopleural fistula. In oesophageal surgery the trend has been towards safe reconstruction and replacement, with particular emphasis on the problem of the prevention of oesophageal reflux, and alternative methods in the management of its complications. I am pleased to have been able to introduce a new group of contributors from Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, the United States and Canada to give the work a new and increased international flavour. Finally I would like to thank all those who have contributed to earlier editions, because it was on the basis of the quality of their work and reputation that a new edition has been possible. JOHN W. JACKSON