Contemporary oral and maxillofacial surgery, 5th edition

  • J. R. Hupp,
  • E. Ellis &
  • M. R. Tucker
UK: Elsevier price £61.99; pp 728 ISBN 9780323049030 | ISBN: 978-0-3230-4903-0

This popular title comprises 714 pages divided into nine sections covering: principles of surgery, principles of exodontia, preprosthetic and implant surgery, infections, management of oral pathologic lesions, oral and maxillofacial trauma, dentofacial deformities and temporomandibular disorders and facial pain. For this edition the entire text has been extensively reviewed and updated, with many chapters considerably revised. Furthermore the book itself is now in full colour to enhance the photographic images and diagrams, while new to this edition is an accompanying Evolve website which contains numerous instructional videos of basic surgical procedures.

The book as a whole is well laid out and extensively illustrated. The chapters concerning basic oral surgery procedures, such as those on exodontia and endodontic surgery, are very detailed and cover topics including patient selection, evaluation, diagnosis and management. They go on to describe the surgical techniques required in step-by-step detail with appropriate clinical photographs and diagrams. There is also a very useful section, in my opinion lacking in many other oral surgery texts, illustrating how to correctly hold and position surgical instruments which would be of particular relevance to undergraduate students. More complex oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures, such as the management of dentofacial deformities, are covered in an overview style. Although discussed in less detail than those topics mentioned above these chapters are still very informative and cover what are often complex procedures in a clear, concise manner. On a more cautious note, potential readers need to be mindful of this book's American origin and so drug names, medico-legal aspects and in some instances recommended practices differ from contemporary British practice.

Overall this book provides a vast amount of information in an understandable and well illustrated format, albeit aimed at an American market. However, I still feel that it would be of use to any individual who has an interest in oral and maxillofacial surgery and would be a useful addition to any maxillofacial surgery department library.