Understanding of the pathology and causation of anorectal diseases is constantly increasing. This has led to changes in how treatment is cho sen. There is almost no anorectal condition for which some new thera peutic approach has not been recently tried, and several of these do not involve surgery at all. In any developing field it is important to maintain contact with change. Surgery of Anorectal Diseases does this in abundance by its very breadth and by the detailed and up-to-date manner in which it deals with each condition. Beautifully illustrated and clearly written, it is a reference text of major importance. The editors have managed to achieve uniformity of style without stif ling the individuality of the various contributing authors. The book will appeal both to surgeons and physicians and must be one of the most complete and all-encompassing works in the field. Besides the stan dard topics, which themselves are dealt with excellently, there are wel come contributions on microbiology, physiology, dermatology as well as on aspects of paediatrics and gynaecology. The reader will find in formed comment on any subject, combined with a current bibliogra phy. More could not be wished from any reference book. John Nicholls London, November 1989 Preface Proctology is no more a minor speciality. Better knowledge of colo-rec to-anal anatomy and of physio-pathology, progress in clinical, imaging and bacteriological investigations have resulted in numerous and more complex therapies.
