Complications in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Download or read book Complications in Cardiothoracic Surgery written by Alex Little and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2008-04-15 with total page 467 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: It is the practical experience gained in the operating room and onthe wards dealing with complications and deviations from thetypical or average scenario that matures and fully develops asurgeon. The typical textbook demonstrates the “right”or standard way to do things and the implicit assumption is that ifthese guidelines are followed then the patient and the surgeon'slife will be complication free. Good results come from experienceand experience is gained by making mistakes. The goal of this bookis to minimize the frequency of surgical complications and maximizethe outcome when they do occur by allowing the reader to learn fromthe operative and clinical experience of those who have gone beforeso that each generation can collectively stand on the shoulders ofthe preceding generation without the need to learn from one's owncomplications. This book is therefore designed less to address indications foroperations than how to carry them out and provide postoperativecare without complications. While the authors of the variouschapters address the correct or right way to perform operations andcare for patients after surgery, they have also been tasked toaddress and emphasize specific dos and don'ts for bothintraoperative techniques and postoperative care that will reducethe incidence of complications. As some complications, alas, areinevitable, also addressed are the issues of timely recognition andappropriate treatment of complications when they do occur despitebest efforts.