Book Review
Clinical G. I. Surgery
Avinash Supe
Professor and Head, Department of Surgical Gastroenterology
Address for correspondence: Dr. Avinash Supe, Seth G S Medical College and K E M Hospital, Mumbai. E-mail: avisupe@gmail.com
“Clinical GI Surgery” in two volumes: This book gives a current and concise summary of all
Editor: Dr Sanjiv Haribhakti, key topics within the specialty and concentrates on
Publisher: Haribhkati Foundation, Ahmedabad, recent developments. This book is logically organized,
First edition: 2008
Price: Rs 2500/- per set of two volumes
well written, and has readable chapters on evidence-
based surgical practice, histopathology, pre- and
post-operative care, and a clinical approach to acute
Over the last two decades, there have been tremendous abdominal pain which comprises the introductory
advances in imaging, endoscopy, and laparoscopy in portion of the book. The 90 chapters of this hardcover
the field of GI surgery. GI surgery is the newest super- book are organized in nine sections. Volume-1 contains
specialty branch of general surgery, where expertise sections on basic GI surgery, and Upper and Lower GI
and high-volume centers have made a difference in tract surgery. Volume-2 has sections on special topics
outcomes of surgery. This has made complex surgeries such as hepatobiliary pancreatic surgery, GI bleeding,
possible with low morbidity and mortality rates and portal hypertension, and laparoscopic surgery. It also
hence recognized by patient communities. With the covers abdominal trauma, retroperitoneal tumors,
rapid development of this specialty in our country, and newer technologies. In addition to all standard
surgeons in India also now perform complex pancreatic topics in GI surgery, such as benign and malignant GI
surgery as well as liver transplants, with results as good disorders, it also covers topics such as NCPF, EHPVO,
as anywhere else. hydatid cysts, and liver abscesses that are pertinent
to our practice. Special topics such as bile duct injury
and its prevention, as well as gall bladder cancer,
There are now more than 30 centers in India which have been written by experts in the field. I especially
provide GI surgery training. Besides, many practicing liked the idea of patient-oriented topics under the
surgeons have special interest and training in the field title of “approach to” jaundice, non-ulcer dyspepsia,
of GI surgery. In spite of such rapid growth in this field, and HIV infection. These chapters, though of varying
there is paucity of text books in this field especially in merits, provide a broad overview. The book provides
the Indian subcontinent. There are quite a few books in clear illustrations, discussions of accompanying
the international market, many of them focused on topics anatomical and physiological changes, advice on
such as laparoscopic surgery, hepatobiliary surgery, or patient management, and medical pearls. The book
colorectal surgery and have emphasis on the operative has given good justice to recent modalities, such as
aspects. Most of these books do not consider Indian cryotherapy, ethanol ablation, radiofrequency ablation,
situations or the socio-economic aspects. All of us were as well as liver transplantation. The bibliographies are
needing a comprehensive book on GI surgery in India. not encyclopedic, but include a separate, important
The text book of GI Surgery, edited by the young surgeon category of suggested reading. The one deficit is the
Dr. Haribhakti, fills this gap more than adequately. avoidable redundancy between much of the material.
This comprehensive Indian book on GI surgery covers There is a special chapter on practice management which
all the important subjects in a clinically relevant manner. covers areas such as set up, data recording, medico-legal
57 Journal of Minimal Access Surgery | April-June 2008 | Volume 4 | Issue 2
Book Review
aspects, and insurance. Though not directly relevant to specialists and trainees.
the science of GI surgery, these topics would help a young
surgeon to establish a good GI surgery center. Overall, as stated by the author himself, this is not a
complete text book, but is intended as a reference
Dr. Sanjiv Haribhakti is young, well trained, and an guide for the dedicated GI surgery trainee as well as the
established GI surgeon at Ahmedabad and has been able practitioner. It is written at a senior level of comprehension
to get together eminent and prominent contributors and is illustrated with photographs (color as well as black
from teaching institutions as well as corporate hospitals and white) and line drawings. The strength of this book
from all corners of the country. The editor needs to be is the chapters written in a clinically relevant manner. If
congratulated for this stupendous task of marshalling there is a drawback to the textbook, it is that there is a
and editing contributions from 135 authors from all over considerable difference in the quality of various chapters.
the country. This text book on Gastrointestinal Surgery However, because of its authoritative and diverse content,
brings together the national group of contributors and the book would be of considerable interest and benefit to
all experts in their respective fields, to provide a text for all GI trainees and practitioners.
Forthcoming Events
Event 3rd Fellowship Course of IAGES (FIAGES) with Live Operative Workshop
Date, Venue July 31 - August 3, 2008, Hotel Sangam, Trichy
Contact Dr. A. Zameer Pasha, Shanwaz Hospital, P. O. Box No 941, A-20 Main Road, Thillainagar,
Trichy - 620028, Tamil Nadu.
Phone: (0431) 2740290, 2741565, 2740575 Fax: (0431) 2741131
E-mail: drzameer2k@sify.com, drzameer2k@yahoo.com
Event ELSA 2008 with 11th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery
Date, Venue September 5 - 8, 2008, Pacifico Yokohoma, Yokohama, Japan
Contact c/o Japan Convention Service, Inc. Koshin Bldg. 2F, 2-2 Kandanishicho, Chiyoda-ku,
Tokyo 101-0054, Japan
Phone: +81-3-3508-1251 Fax: +81-3-5283-5952 E-mail: elsa08reg@convention.jp
Event NOZCON 2008 (North Zone Annual Conference of International College of
Date, Venue Surgeons – Indian Section)
Contact September 13 - 14, 2008, Government Medical College, Patiala
Dr. Amarjit Singh Grover, Prof. of Surgery, Government Medical College, Patiala,
Ward No. 3, Rajendra Hospital, Patiala
Phone: (R) (0175) 235446 / (M) 09988254546
E-mail: nozcon2008@yahoo.com, asgrover_2000@yahoo.co.uk
Event The 31st National Conference of ACRSI
Date, Venue September 19 - 21, 2008, Bombay Hospital, Mumbai
Contact Dr Niranjan Agarwal, THE SECRETARIAT, ACRSICON 2008, Room No 123,
2nd Floor, MRC Bombay Hospital, New Marine Lines, Mumbai - 400020, India
Phone: (022) 22052959, 23630062
E-mail: drndagarwal@hotmail.com
Event 2nd National Congress and Live Workshop of Hernia Society of India
Date, Venue October 4 - 5, 2008, Welcomhotel Rama International, Aurangabad
Contact Dr. Vijay Borgaonkar, Seth Nandlal Dhoot Hospital, A-1/2, MIDC Chikalthana,
Jalana Road, Aurangabad - 431210, India
Phone: (0240) 2489001 Ext 103 Fax: (0240) 2485331
E-mail: herniacongress2008@gmail.com, contact@dhoothospital.com
Event 54th Annual Conference of International College of Surgeons – Indian Section
Date, Venue October 16 - 18, 2008, Hotel Sangam, Trichy
Contact Dr. A Zameer Pasha, Shanwaz Hospital, P. O. Box No 941, A-20 Main Road, Thillainagar,
Trichy – 620028, Tamil Nadu.
Phone: (0431) 2740290, 2741565, 2740575 Fax: (0431) 2741131
E-mail: drzameer2k@sify.com, drzameer2k@yahoo.com
Journal of Minimal Access Surgery | April-June 2008 | Volume 4 | Issue 2 58
