Surgery of the Musculoskeletal System

This ambitious new (1983) four-volume text obviously challenges the long-held preeminent position of Campbell's<i>Operative Orthopedics</i>, now in its (1980) sixth edition. With nearly 200 international contributors on 183 topics grouped into 12 anatomic or pathologic sections,<i>Surgery of the Musculoskeletal System</i>represents a truly heroic undertaking. Chapter topics range from a superficial review of physical diagnosis, through intertrochanteric fractures, to overlapping toes, with entire sections devoted to infection, tumor, and amputations. Variable, often major, discussions on anatomy, pathophysiology, biomechanics, diagnosis, and preoperative or postoperative management accompany descriptions of surgery, accounting for much of the increased size of this work compared with Campbell's. The work by Evarts is less tightly constructed and edited than is Campbell's. Chapters vary considerably in significance, quality, depth, and style. Readers will find different topics covered better in each of the two texts, although Evarts probably covers newer procedures more thoroughly. There is redundancy at