The first edition of this text was published in 1982, and this ambitious undertaking is now in its fourth edition. This seventeen-year history signifies that these volumes continue to be accepted as authoritative works on the operative treatment of the hand. The two volumes of the current edition, which has been appropriately updated and expanded, are divided into twenty-five sections comprising fifty-three well organized chapters. Compared with the first edition, it contains twenty additional chapters and approximately 30 percent more text. The excellent feature of discussing various methods of treatment and then describing the author's preferred method in detail has been continued through all four editions. Each chapter has an abundant and thorough list of well selected, up-to-date references. Approximately 100 well known and respected hand surgeons have contributed to chapters related to their fields of expertise, thereby making these two volumes a comprehensive source in which every conceivable topic related to the operative treatment of the hand is covered in depth.
The chapter on arthroscopy has been expanded to reflect the advances that have been made since the publication of the previous edition. The new sections on diagnostic and operative arthroscopy of the wrist and elbow are particularly notable. The intraoperative photographs in this chapter are beautifully done.
Operative techniques are well described and well depicted throughout the book, either with reprints from the original articles or with the superb illustrations by Place and Roselius. New chapters on elbow contractures, distraction lengthening, chronic infection, chronic regional pain, and thoracic outlet syndrome augment the overall value of the text. New authors amplify much of the information from previously well written chapters and explore new concepts as well; this is particularly noticeable in the chapter on vascular disorders.
The addition of two new editors, Hotchkiss and Pederson, ensures that this classic work, the first three editions of which were edited solely by Green, will continue to be a well organized, well written scientific reference. I highly recommend that these volumes be included not only in the library of every hand surgeon but also in the armamentarium of every orthopaedist, general surgeon, and plastic surgeon who performs operations on the hand.
Joseph C. DeFiore, Jr., M.D.
Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic
Knoxville, Tennessee