Surgical Recall (Recall Series)

This book has 59 reviews thus far, averaging 5 stars for excellence.

Editorial Review

Thoroughly updated for its Fifth Edition, this reference for third and fourth year medical students on surgical clerkships enables quick study in a rapid-fire Q&A format. A perfect fit for continue reading..

Surgical Recall (Recall Series)

The Washington Manual of Surgery

Used this book for surgery clerkship and aced the NBME shelf. This book has all the information you need to shine on a surgery clerkship. It is also ideal for residents/attendings making complex management decisions. Read the full review.

During my internship this book and the Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics were the 2 books I couldn’t live without. Read the full review.

f you’re looking for the most accurate “condensed” text for your Surgery Clerkship, this book is perfect. Only downside is that … Read the full review.

Description

Essentials of General Surgery

I inititally bought this text in my second year of medical school. It was both an exceptionally detailed text and also a good reference on a wide variety of subjects. I have continued to use it into my surgical residency and expect to do so until I finish. My only detractions are that on occasion it is too densely packed with information, and that the section on peptic ulcer disease and the surgical treatment of the same is a little dated. Otherwise, any topic that a student needs to know about on a general surgical service is _well_ covered by this text.

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This book is very well written and easy to understand. It does not go in great depth like Sabiston, but it is very good for a third year rotation.

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A perfect concise text for medical students on their surgery rotation. This book helped me do better on my surgery shelf than I have on any other shelf exam. Read the whole thing and take notes as you do.

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NMS Surgery Casebook
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The best review:

This is as near perfect a surgery review text as you can find that will prepare you for both your third year surgery clerkship and NBME surgery subject exam and Step 2. This book is very quick reading and is FULL of tons of great diagrams, charts, CT, X-rays, U/S, angiograms, etc. It’s written in a clinical cases format with specific and pertinent management questions and solutions, as well as differentials and diagnosing discussions, that will prepare you clinically for the wards, as well as prepare you for shelf exams (which contain a lot of patient management questions, many of which were discussed in this book). It also has enough anatomy and pathophysiology discussion for it to be useful as a source for background reading for surgeries you are planning on scrubbing in on. The radiographic images are especially useful, however, it would have been useful to have more diagnostic findings specifically labelled on many of the images. Most importantly, this is a book that you can realistically expect to finish and even master within the timeframe of your 8-12 week clerkship. Highly recommended

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NMS Surgery Casebook

Complications: A Surgeon’s Notes on an Imperfect Science

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Best review by: Stu

Dr. Gawande’s essays are thoughtful and very well written, and it blows my mind that he was able to be such a prolific writer while doing a residency (let alone a surgical residency). I read these essays one at a time originally when they appeared in the New Yorker during my pre-med and med school days, and I enjoyed rereading them recently, now that I’m a resident myself. It is always refreshing to see honesty when it comes to the imperfections of the medical profession. His stories about dealing with his own children’s medical problems are very compelling, struggling with when to relinquish control to other doctors and when to step in and advocate. I also currently find myself much more interested in the cognitive science of decision making, having to make potentially life-altering decisions in a split second, balancing multiple confounding variables along with personal styles, experiences and instincts. Another topic given well deserved scrutiny is the phenomenon of physician burnout and how the profession deals with, and often fails to deal with, “good doctors gone bad.”

Dr. Gawande comes across as the type of person I wouldn’t expect to enjoy working with the typical surgeon colleagues. In fact, I would love to see him address this topic in his future writings. It would take a writer of his skill to explore the stereotypical personalities and cultures of the different specialties. No one wants to over-generalize, but medical students from various schools will have very similar descriptions of the types of O.B. residents versus psychiatrists versus pediatricians versus orthopedists that they worked with. The broad, simplified version of this is along the lines seen on the TV show Scrubs, with surgeons being the jocks and internists being the geeks. That is too generalized but not entirely untrue. It’s an interesting question, what perpetuates these sub-cultures, whether it is the type of person drawn to a specialty or whether people pick their careers based on who they want their colleagues to be.

In the end, even with all the discussions of mistakes, burnout, and imperfections, I found this book to be affirming about the medical profession. Affirming both as a physician and as a sometimes patient or family member of a patient. Medicine doesn’t always work like it should, and doctors should not be placed on pedestals. There are real problems in the system, but there are also plenty of very dedicated, hard-working, medical professionals doing their best to overcome those problems, working to provide the best care possible to their patients, to make the best decisions possible given the limitations of our knowledge. In times of crisis, you just have to take a deep breath and then put your faith in the system.

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Complications: A Surgeon’s Notes on an Imperfect Science

Surgical Recall

Surgical Recall, North American Edition (Recall Series)

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Surgical Recall, North American Edition (Recall Series)  ~ Lorne H Blackbourne

Best review:
But Surgical Recall makes it easier. Basically, people get Recall for two reasons: 1) they’re not interested in surgery but have to rotate and do well in it or 2) they’re genuinely interested in surgery.

For med students just needing to get by, this partly meets your needs. This is not a text. The short Q&A format does not lend itself to thorough reading, it does not necessarliy flow, and it’s not always easy to correlate concepts. It’s good for reading before an operation for when the surgeon asks you questions (‘pimping’). It’s effective for a cram session before an exam/quiz as it addresses common issues. Reading Recall straight through, however, is not easy due to the format and length (800 pages). If you like flash-card style presentations, then Recall is great. If you don’t, consider First Aid for Surgery, Surgery Secrets, or Lawrence’s Essentials (I personally can’t stand Lawrence).

For those looking into surgery, this book represents the fundamentals you NEED to know cold. The Q&A format basically simulates an attending or chief quizzing you during rounds or conference. The max amount of potassium you can give through a central line? It’s not a thrilling concept, but it’s something you’ll ask yourself as an intern, and if you don’t, a higher level will do it for you. This book has saved my butt a number of times on a surgery rotation. Aside from the essentials of preop and postop care, Recall also has specific questions you might have during an operation. Once again, these are high yield. The keys to performing a cholecystectomy are dead on (*be warned, their definition of the cystic triangle is a little goofy- personally was burned on that). There’s also a few pictures going over basic anatomy. This is also one of the few books aimed at students which goes over surgical instruments and technique.

Overall, a great buy if you’re into surgery, but a questionable purchase if you don’t like the format and aren’t interested in surgery.

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Surgical Recall, 4e – Print & Audio Package  ~ Lorne H. Blackbourne

Advanced Surgical Recall (Recall Series)  ~ Lorne H Blackbourne

Surgical Recall Audio (Recall Series)  ~ Lorne H Blackbourne

The ABSITE Review

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Review by Roy Hobbs
This is a very nice review in a pocket-sized version that allows you to easily carry it around. The style is the same as the earlier edition though this is now in color. It is set up in a bullet-point high-yield style and can be read quickly. Just remember that it is designed for ABSITE review not as the definitive source for anything.

Review by Edward
this book is designed to be a concise, topic based review for the absite. it is the most efficient way to spend your time, although the outline format is boring. people that write a negative review don’t get the point.

Review by Davido
I had the previous version, and bought this one when mine disappeared from a call room. Even better than the first edition. There really isn’t anything else available that compares. If you know this material, a good to excellent score should follow.

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The ABSITE Review

The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right

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Best Review — by D. Kanigan
Amazon’s December Book of the Month summary describes the author’s mission of revolutionizing the “to-do list…without programmatic steps or tables to help reshuffle daily tasks.” One may infer from this recap that this is a how-to-self-improvement book for making one more productive, more efficient and less stressed – this couldn’t be farther from the core message of this book.

The author’s key message is that the volume and complexity of knowledge today has exceeded any single individual’s ability to manage it consistently without error despite material advances in technology, boatloads of more training and super-specialization of functions and responsibilities. Yet, despite demonstrating that checklists produce results, there is resistance to their use because of the (1) Master of Universe mentality (Rock Star; Fighter Pilot; Hero), (2) our jobs are too complex to reduce to a checklist, (3) checklists are too rigid and don’t force us to look up and see and think ahead of what’s in front of us. Yet, in a complex environment, he states that experts are up against 2 difficulties – the fallibility of human memory when it comes to mundane, routine matters that are easily overlooked under the strain of more pressing events and secondly, people can lull themselves into skipping steps even when they remember them – after all certain steps don’t always matter…until one day they do. Gawande makes a persuasive case in his book as to why you should develop and implement a process checklist for critical processes/decisions.

* Whether you are from the medical field or not, you will benefit from the inspiring thinking and insights.

* This book is game changing – a call-to-action for generating better results despite the pull to run with intuition or gut instinct. If you are implementing via intuition rather than a systematic process, this book’s message will force you to pause in your tracks to seek a more disciplined approach.

* The author uses a wide range of industries to make his case using an engaging blend of anecdotes, storytelling and research – from healthcare to aviation (US Airways 1549 landing in Hudson River) – - to high-end award winning restaurants – - to building massive office skyscrapers and shopping centers – -to setting up a Van Halen rock concert – - to FEMA’s response to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans – - to money managers making investment selections.

* Can be read in 1-2 sittings. Page Turner. Fully engaging and riveting until the last page is turned.

* Author’s determination, authenticity, inspired thinking, modesty and willingness to disclose personal mistakes makes this an inspirational book. Both brilliantly written and a pleasure to read.

My favorite excerpts:

“Despite showing (hospital) staff members of the benefits of using the checklist, 20% resisted stating that it was not easy to use, it took too long and felt it had not improved the safety of care. Yet, when asked an additional question – would you want the checklist to be used if you were having an operation – a full 93% said yes.”

“In a world in which success now requires large enterprises, teams of clinicians, high-risk technologies, and knowledge that outstrips any one person’s abilities, individual autonomy hardly seems the ideal we should aim for. ..what is needed, however is discipline…discipline is hard – harder than trustworthiness and skill and perhaps even than selflessness. We are by nature flawed and inconstant creatures. We can’t even keep from snacking between meals. We are built for novelty and excitement, not for careful attention to detail. Discipline is something we have to work at.”

“We don’t study routine failures…when we look closely, we recognize the same balls being dropped over and over, even by those of great ability and determination. We know the patterns. We see the costs. It’s time to try something else. Try a checklist.”

“We’re obsessed in medicine with having great components, the best drugs, the best devices, the best specialists – but pay little attention to how to make them fit together well”"

“It somehow feels beneath us to use a checklist, an embarrassment. It runs counter to deeply held beliefs about how the truly great among us – those we aspire to be – handle situations of high stakes and complexity. The truly great are daring. They improvise. They do not have protocols and checklists. Maybe our idea of heroism needs updating.”

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The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right

Schwartz Principles of Surgery

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Get basic information about the book

The #1 surgical practice and education resource — completely updated and now in full-color!

Praise for the 8th Edition:
“This is an excellent textbook that conveys a complete view of surgery and accomplishes the goals set out by the authors very successfully.”–Doody’s Review Service

Written by the world’s foremost practitioners and instructors, this landmark reference logically progresses from basic science principles, including topics such as cells, genomics, and molecular surgery, to clinical areas such as pancreas. From cover to cover, the book reflects a distinctly modern approach in the dissemination of surgical knowledge, providing up-to-date coverage of all key surgical areas, from trauma and transplantation, to neurosurgery. In each chapter, this content is supported by a skill-building format that includes boxed key points, detailed anatomical figures, diagnostic and management algorithms, an abundance of informative tables, and key references.

For every kind of procedure, this one-of-a-kind clinical companion helps you meet the sequential demands in the care of surgical patients, leading to the best possible outcomes.

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

• Full color design for easier navigation
• 2 new chapters: “Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Core Competencies,” examines the six areas designated as critical for general surgery resident training and “Ethics, Palliative Care, and Care at the End of Life,” offers an overview of biomedical ethics, and surveys specific issues in surgical and professional ethics, the general principles and considerations of palliative care, and care at the end of life
• Greater focus on evidence-based medicine with highlighted references in each chapter and separate key reference list
• Increased number of treatment and diagnostic algorithms
• Key points in every chapter
• International advisory board comprised of renowned surgeons contributes important regional feedback on content and curricula
• Companion DVD of surgical video clips

Learn about the authors:

Editor-in-Chief
F. Charles Brunicardi, MD, FACS
DeBakey/Bard Professor and Chairman, Michael E. DeBakey
Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine,
Houston, TX

Associate Editors:
Dana K. Andersen, MD, FACS
Professor and Vice-Chair, Department of Surgery
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Surgeon-in-Chief, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
Baltimore, MD

Timothy R. Billiar, MD, FACS
George Vance Foster Professor and Chairman of Surgery
Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School
of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA

David L. Dunn, MD, PhD, FACS
Vice President for Health Sciences, State University
of New York, Buffalo, Buffalo, NY

John G. Hunter, MD, FACS
Mackenzie Professor and Chair,
Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science
University, Portland, OR

Jeffrey B. Matthews, MD, FACS
Dallas B. Phemister Professor and Chairman
Department of Surgery, University of Chicago,
Chicago, IL

Raphael E. Pollock, MD, PhD, FACS
Head, Divisin of Surgery, Professor and Chairman,
Department of Surgical Oncology, Senator A.M. Aiken, Jr.,
Distinguished Chair, University of Texas M.D.
Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

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Clinical Review of Surgery
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Clinical Review of Surgery
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