Maingot's Abdominal Operations has always filled a unique niche.
For many surgeons, including the editors, the text has consistently offered
a comprehensive discussion of surgical diseases of the abdomen with a focus
on operative strategy and technique. The book has served as a needed
reference to refresh our knowledge before a common operation or in
preparation for a novel one. Our intended audience for this edition is the
same as for the original publication; the book is meant for the surgical
trainee as well as the practicing surgeon. We continue to have an
international audience and have made every effort to produce a product that
is equally valuable to readers in Malaysia and Montana. For both of us, in
this third effort together, it continues to be both an honor and a privilege
to have the opportunity to edit the twelfth edition of this classic
textbook.
Abdominal surgery has clearly changed
since Rodney Maingot's first edition in 1940. Not only has our knowledge
base increased substantially but the procedures themselves have become more
complex. The current subspecialization in abdominal surgery, a consequence
of these changes, might even challenge the need for such a comprehensive
text. Abdominal disease has been increasingly parceled up between foregut,
hepatobiliary, pancreatic, colorectal, endocrine, acute care, and vascular.
We continue to believe, however, that the basic principles of surgical care
in each of the anatomical regions have more similarities than differences.
Experience in any one of these organs can inform and strengthen the approach
to each of the others. Few would question the need for the abdominal surgeon
to be well versed in dealing with any unexpected disease that is encountered
in the course of a planned procedure. For many of us, Maingot's Abdominal
Operations has consistently helped to fill that need. We also intend for
this textbook to remain disease-focused in addition to its organ/procedure
format. In keeping with the growing opinion that minimally invasive surgery
should be viewed not as a distinct subspecialty but rather as one tool
employed in each of the anatomic or disease-based subspecialties, in this
edition we have incorporated the chapters on minimally invasive surgery
throughout the text rather than in a distinct section.
The new edition of this textbook is a significant revision–in
most areas a completely new book. We have attempted to focus the text on
operative procedures as well as on new concepts in diagnosis and management
of abdominal disease. Although the new edition, like the last edition, is
condensed compared with previous versions, we have continued to present the
opinions and knowledge of more than one expert. In an effort to enhance this
feature, in areas where opinions and approaches differ, we have added
"Perspective" commentaries by experts in the field who we expected might
have distinct opinions about approaches and/or operative techniques. In
response to our international readers, we have added chapters on
gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal trauma, and vascular emergencies, all
of which were removed for the previous edition. We have attempted to
maintain an international flavor and have included a cross-section of both
seasoned senior contributors and new leaders in gastrointestinal surgery. We
continue to present a contemporary textbook on current diagnostic procedures
and surgical techniques related to the management and care of patients with
all types of surgical digestive disease.
An
extensive artwork program was undertaken for this edition. Many line
drawings have been recreated to reflect the contributors' preferred method
for performing certain surgical procedures. Some of these drawings are new
and give the book a more modern and overall consistent look. In addition,
this edition is the first with full-color text and color line art.
In the preface to the sixth edition, Rodney Maingot noted,
"As all literature is personal, the contributors have been given a free hand
with their individual sections. Certain latitude in style and expression is
stimulating to the thoughtful reader." Similarly, we have tried to maintain
consistency for the reader, but the authors have also been given a free hand
in their chapter submissions.
We would like to
thank the publisher, McGraw-Hill, and in particular Robert Pancotti, for
their unwavering support during the lengthy time of development of this
project. Their guidance was invaluable to completing this project in a
single comprehensive volume. Their suggestions and attention to detail made
it possible to overcome the innumerable problems that occur in publishing
such a large textbook.
Finally, to our editorial
assistant who has survived the trials of this book, Linda Smith; she has
been invaluable and we never would have been able to do it without her.
Patrina Tucker and Colleen Larkin have also stepped up and made this project
possible. We owe them a great debt of gratitude for helping with every step
of the work—from typing manuscripts to editing and reading page
proofs, and providing encouragement during the prolonged dry periods and
preparation of this textbook.
To all of those who
have participated in the creation and publication of this text, we thank you
very much.
Michael J. Zinner, MD, FACS
Stanley W. Ashley, MD, FACS