Complex and Revision Problems in Shoulder Surgery

Complex and Revision Problems in Shoulder Surgery, Jon J. P. Warner, Joseph P. Iannotti, and Christian Gerber, (Eds.), (ISBN: 0-397-51657-6, Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 227 East Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3780), 448 pp., $125.00. Drs. Jon J. P Warner, Joseph P. Iannotti, and Christian Gerber, esteemed experts in shoulder surgery, are to be commended for assembling 31 outstanding contributors to this text. Despite its title, this book should be recommended reading for all orthopaedic surgeons, including orthopaedic residents, who perform surgical procedures about the shoulder. While presenting treatment approaches for both complex and revision shoulder problems, it also details the various causes of failed surgery and offers numerous important pearls and techniques on how to avoid complications. The book is divided into six sections: Instability, The “Stiff” Shoulder, Rotator Cuff Tears, Fractures, Arthritic Conditions, and Miscellaneous Problems of the Shoulder. Each section assumes that the reader has a fundamental knowledge of the topic and competence with current arthroscopic and open surgical procedures. Only the pertinent pathoanatomy, present concepts in biomechanics, and important physical and radiographic findings are reviewed. Possible complications of the various surgical procedures are explored, and techniques to prevent and treat these complications are presented in the chapters within each section. Proper patient selection is emphasized. Salvage techniques are also presented for the more common complex shoulder problems in each section. The content of the book is state of the art. The decision making in the operative management for each of these common but very difficult shoulder problems is presented in a very comprehensible fashion. The concise format of the book makes it very readable, cover to cover, and not just for reference use. Each chapter is followed by an extensive and up-to-date list of references which serves as an excellent literature review. Just the right amount of time is devoted to the evaluation and management of rarely encountered problems such as serratus anterior palsy and trapezius dysfunction. While these surgical procedures (muscle transfers and scapulothoracic fusions) are performed only by a limited number of surgeons, their description in this book makes the availability of these procedures known to a wide audience. While one of the unique features of this book is certainly the international flavor of its contributors, managed health care in the United States would preclude inpatient rehabilitation in the nonsurgical management of refractory shoulder stiffness. Despite the numerous contributors, the text follows a logical progression without repetition. The book definitely achieves its goal of emphasizing the need for an individual rather than “cookbook” approach for shoulder problems. We highly recommend this book for all orthopaedic surgeons, not just those with a special interest in the shoulder. Reviewed by: Preston M. Wolin and Joyce A. Tarbet Center for Athletic; Medicine, Chicago, IL