Abstract
The manual encompasses 12 chapters describing biology, classification, decision-making, management and reconstruction of a wide-variety of wounds commonly seen in small animal practice.
The book benefits from high quality illustrations that facilitate understanding of the described management and surgical techniques ranging from anal sacculectomy to microsurgery. The illustrations are particularly useful to aid client communication, demonstrating the expected end-result of a planned reconstruction procedure.
Several important aspects of wound management are emphasised in this new edition and a useful, full section is dedicated to the main different types of wound drains currently available in the veterinary market.
The manual has been written by highly qualified veterinary surgeons who have incorporated in the text practical tips, warnings and tables that summarise vital aspects of wound management. Case examples are included throughout the book demonstrating clinical application of the described techniques. The authors also give the necessary emphasis to the most commonly seen complications in wound management and reconstructive procedures such as distal flap necrosis which, in my opinion, is a common defect of most textbooks published in this subject.
Overall, I think the book is very easy to read and manages to concentrate in the practical aspects of wound management and reconstruction without compromising understanding of wound biology and other important factors such as full patient assessment. I have no hesitation in recommending this new BSAVA manual to any veterinary surgeon that frequently deals with the challenges and frustrations of wound management.