Operative oral and maxillofacial surgery, 2nd edition

Edited by:
  • J. Langdon,
  • M. Patel,
  • R. Ord &
  • P. Brennan
UK: Hodder Education price £220.00; pp 810 ISBN 9780340945896 | ISBN: 978-0-3409-4589-6

This is a fundamental text for all those with an interest in oral and maxillofacial surgery. It follows on from the infamous first edition and provides a comprehensive guide to key aspects of maxillofacial surgery.

There are 11 chapters in total; each is well presented with numerous images to aid learning. The first looks at diagnostic investigations; three-dimensional imaging is especially useful as it is the future of functional analysis of deformities in the head and neck region.

The oral surgery chapter covers the basics: nerve injuries, surgical endodontics and cysts. It later goes on to provide detailed information on implant surgery and bone augmentation techniques from an American and European perspective.

Emergency surgical techniques in relation to airway and haemorrhage are clear, concise, and well demonstrated. Orofacial reconstruction covers a wide range of flaps and the diagrams are superb. Anatomical pictures give you a real feel for surgery whilst reading the chapters. Each flap is fully discussed from reconstructive use to anatomy, exposure, harvesting, microvascular techniques, insetting, and post operative complications.

Malignant disease is then approached starting with the fundamentals, assessment and principles of management, curative surgery and palliative care. PEG insertion, complications and alternative feeding tubes are also covered. Pathological assessment of specimens and neck dissections is well written and succinct. Access procedures are very well presented and the surgical explanations are clear. The book then goes on to look at skull base tumours and has a number of illustrative cases which identify the importance of working in a multidisciplinary team when approaching this type of surgery.

Salivary gland surgery is thorough and the anatomical diagrams provide a valuable reference guide especially pre-operatively. There is a very good section on interventional sialography and radiology in the head and neck. Extracapsular dissection is well written and covers indications, dissection method and possible complications.

Other chapters include vascular lesions; trauma; temporomandibular joint surgery; clefts; craniofacial surgery and facial aesthetics. They are all very informative and give you a step by step approach to various surgical procedures as well as their potential complications.

Following each chapter there are tables containing top tips that summarise the information and further reading titles to allow one to expand their knowledge in relevant areas. This book is excellent in terms of detail and has outstanding illustrations which really enhance your learning experience. Thoroughly recommended for all past, present and future maxillofacial trainees.