Medical management of the surgical patient

This book is a reference for internists, anaesthesiologists and surgeons caring for patients with medical problems who must undergo surgery. The first part covers preoperative and postoperative diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation of the medical problem and how it may affect or be affected by a surgical procedure. Disorders involving all the major organ systems are thoroughly discussed and pragmatic guidance is offered on nutritional management, prevention of infections and effects of anaesthesia. New sections on surgery in the elderly and psychiatric disturbances in surgical patients have been added. The second part summarizes the common general surgical procedures and their complications and describes the usual postoperative course.