Mark K. Ferguson – författare

Although GERD was initially described in the early 19 century, it is essentially a c-sequence of our modern day largesse. Dietary factors and associated obesity have combined with as yet other unknown factors (e.g. a decrease in the prevalence of H. pylori?) to make GERD one of the most common diseases affecting western society. It is estimated that up to 20 million adults in the United States suffer from GERD, and treatment of these individuals consumes approximately $10 billion annually, the majority of it for prescription drugs used to manage the disease and its symptoms. Fortunately, despite challenges presented by co-factors resulting in GERD (diet, obesity, etc.), therapy of GERD is largely successful. However, even a low failure rate for a therapy used in the management of GERD still results in large numbers of affected patients because of the high prevalence of this disease. Use of a conservative estimate of a failure rate of 5% translates to 1 million ineffectively treated and unhappy patients. How to manage these patients is the subject of this book. Why is publication of this book important now? Several factors prompted us to work on this project. Mature results for proton pump inhibitor use are available,making this an appropriate time to review outcomes of PPI therapy of GERD. Similarly, mature results are now available for minimally invasive surgical therapy for GERD.

This updated volume provides a practical guide to decision making within thoracic surgery. Focussed chapters contain pithy analyses and recommendations that allow useful information to be identified at a glance. All new chapters bring insight into the challenges faced operating on the lung, esophagus, diaphragm, airway, pleaura, mediastinum, and chest wall.

Difficult Decisions in Thoracic Surgery aims to help the reader navigate the complexities of thoracic surgery through clearly formatted and evidence-based chapters. The book is relevant to practicing and trainee surgeons, as well as medical professionals working within thoracic surgery.

As the complexity of decision-making in medicine, and surgery in particular, is growing exponentially, this book provides a practical guide to decision-making in thoracic surgery. It offers guidance on how to select among the varied and complex approaches that new technology provides. Concise and easy to follow chapters are devoted to one or two specific questions or decisions in thoracic surgery, aiding the reader to develop their decision-making skills.

Difficult Decisions in Thoracic Surgery offers clearly formatted and evidence-based chapters to help the reader navigate the complexities of thoracic surgery. All new chapters bring insight into the challenges faced operating on the lung, esophagus, diaphragm, airway, pleaura, mediastinum, and chest wall.

The book is relevant to practicing surgeons, surgeons in training, as well as medical professionals working with thoracic diseases.

This Atlas presents a state-of-the-art review of VATS and robotic approaches to managing lung and esophageal cancers. It discusses cancer staging, physiological evaluation of patients, and patient selection for minimally invasive surgery. The atlas offers detailed descriptions of individual operations accompanied by anatomic drawings, intraoperative images, and 3-dimensional anatomic reconstructions. Written by recognized experts in the field, it provides readers with an unparalleled resource for advancing their skills in managing these cancers.

It is a valuable reference work for thoracic surgeons in training as well as in practice who want to pursue minimally invasive surgery. It is unique in offering fully illustrated, step-by-step descriptions of the operative procedures.