What do all surgeons want? Fewer anatomical complications in the operating room! This new 2-volume reference, edited by John E. Skandalakis, will help surgeons, residents and students to achieve just that. The result of his 50 years of experience -- in both teaching surgical anatomy and in practicing surgery -- it provides an overall understanding of the body's processes through a greater awareness of embryology and anatomy. It takes a fresh approach to surgical anatomy by appointing two anatomists and two embryologists as the other editors and more than 20 international general surgeons and specialists as contributors. All have participated in writing chapters to provide modern philosophies about: topographic anatomy relations to anatomic entities current surgical trends anatomic complications. It is these surgical philosophies, not techniques, which are the focus of the book. The book is organised for quick and easy use. For example, everything a surgeon needs to study the stomach is included in the chapter by that name. Only if coverage overlaps are readers referred elsewhere in the book for additional information. Each chapter is a separate essay from an embryologic, anatomic and surgical viewpoint and follows the format below: historical table embryology and congenital anomalies (brief) surgical and topographic anatomy in relation to neighbouring organs (detailed) histology and physiology (brief) surgical applications and anatomic complications (detailed). Key Features: Highly respected Editors International Contributors New studies and theories are incorporated All body systems are covered Everything the surgeon needs to know about an organ is contained in one chapter Only the most relevant elements of embryology are included to save surgeons time Approximately 1580 full colour illustrations lend critical support to the text