Just before being asked to review this textbook, I was approached by one of our non-vascular trainees (about to undergo his second part fellowship examination) for advice on a concise overview of the management of common vascular disorders. Having read this text, I would now be able to say that this book is largely the answer to his prayers. Each of the 27 multi-author chapters deals with a specific vascular topic, such as the swollen limb, acute and chronic limb ischaemia, diabetic foot, graft complications, carotid artery disease, the use of blood products, aneurysms, vascular trauma and arteriovenous malformations, to name but a few. In particular, I was pleased to see overviews of audit and risk management in vascular surgery and Jill Belch is to be congratulated on providing one of the most user-friendly reviews of the complexities of Raynaud's phenomenon that I have come across. My one criticism is the omission of a dedicated chapter on thrombolysis, which is otherwise intermittently covered throughout the book.
At a time when vascular science and medicine is expanding rapidly, thereby requiring the publication of ever larger (and expensive) textbooks for specialist readerships, this book will fulfil a worthwhile role for those starting in vascular surgery and for those occasionally wishing to review current practice. It should achieve an important place especially for general surgeons in training who have little practical vascular surgical experience but who are taking postgraduate examinations. Both authors should have been pleased with the result of their work; sadly, Charles Clyne died during the preparation of this volume.