This latest addition to the Endocrine Surgical library is a gem to be savored at leisure. It is a comprehensive review and is on the cutting edge of current knowledge regarding surgical endocrinology. The fact that the three outstanding editors of Endocrine Surgery are from widely separated geographic continents (Europe, Asia and America) clearly establishes the flavor for this international contribution. The surgical arena and the endocrine surgical subspe- alty, in particular, is truly international in scope, as it should be, and today represents a unique close knit family. This is a healthy phenomenon for it allows rapid and constant exchange of information and ideas by dedicated surgeons, endocrinologists, pathologists, radiologists, and researchers who personally know and respect each other, and who share a clear cut common goal – to simply do what is best for each and every patient afflicted with an endocrine disorder. The astute reader of this encompassing collectionofcontributions will notice a ‘‘changing of the guard’’ phenomenon as well. Although there are well-known players in this endocrine surgical orchestra, there are, pleasingly, a number of less well-known (albeit for a short time only) contributors. This is very good indeed and is something that pleases me – a member of the old guard, immensely. The success of surgical education, and as a consequence, of patient care, is that each successive generation should be better and wiser than the prec- ing one. If this is not so, the previous generation has dismally failed.
