Abdominal Surgery: An Atlas of Operative Techniques.

W. B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 1976. First edition, first printing. A scarce, important and beautifully illustrated work, much more than a simple atlas. From the Translator's Foreword: "Professor Valdoni has been a world leader in clinical surgery for the past thirty years. He is one of the last of the true generalists. Not only did he pioneer various abdominal procedures, as the reader of this volume will soon discover, but in 1940 he was one of the first to ligate a patent ductus arteriosus. Soon afterward he participated in developing the modern techniques of cardiac, esophageal, and pulmonary surgery. The reader should note that each procedure or group of procedures is introduced by an explanatory passage. This text, Valdoni's approach to the problem, sometimes discusses the reasons for his choice of procedures and then carefully describes the technique in a step by step fashion. Vladoni places heavy emphasis on an anatomical knowledge of the arterial blood supply to the abdominal viscera. This is most exquisitely illustrated in Chapters 22, 23, and 24, where not only the type of colon resection to be performed but also the types of complications that may occur are explained on the basis of the local blood supply. Of particular interest is Valdoni's description in Chapter 17 of intestinal derotation, a technique he says he has never published. This operation restores the intestinal anatomy to that in the embryo prior to its rotation around the superior mesenteric artery. The resultant relations provide exciting potential modifications for many surgical procedures. This volume is a personally narrated collection of Professor Valdoni's techniques in abdominal surgery." Quarto, 13 3/4 x 10 1/4 inches, red cloth-covered boards, gilt lettering on spine and front board, 290 pp., index. Very slight edgewear, else fine. Beautifully and extensively illustrated, numerous color and b/w illustrations by Vittoria Fornasari, under the supervision of Professor Felice Virno. Contents: Transthoracic Extramucosal Cardiomyotomy; Hiatus Hernia Repair; Transthoracic Esophagogastrostomy (After Esophageal Resection); Gastrostomy; Gastroenterostomy; Gastroduodenal Resection; Total Gastrectomy and Lymphadenectomy / Esophagoduodenostomy / Esophagojejunostomy; Cholecystectomy; Choledochoduodenostomy; Transduodenal Papillotomy; Hepaticojejunostomy; Transhepatic Drainage; Splenectomy; Side to Side Portacaval Anastomosis; Minor Portasystemic Anastomoses (Splenorenal and Mesentericorenal); Transthoracic Azygoportal Interruption; Intestinal Derotation; Small Bowel Anastomoses (Side to Side and End to End); Jejunostomy; Cecostomy; Right Hemicolectomy with Lymphadenectomy; Anterior Rectocolic Resection; Rectocolic Resection with Anal Pull-Through; Abdominoperineal Resection of the Rectum; Pancreatectomy; Anal Fistula; Inguinal Hernia Repair / Orchidopexy. (3214050). F. Hardcover.