BOOK REVIEW - FIELD ANAESTHESIA - BASIC PRACTICE

Written and Edited by Eric Vreede. Email: guide.anaesthesia@msf.org

This 77 page booklet has been written as an introduction for anaesthetists planning to provide field anaesthesia. It assumes a basic knowledge of anaesthetic practice and deals with how to integrate modern anaesthetic practice into the field situation. The book is filled with practical information about the difficulties involved, and lists many of the solutions and different techniques which can be used.

The book is is written in a didactic style which is easily understood. Many boxed points add clarity and emphasis to the basic text. There are 14 chapters and 21 tables. Most aspects of field anaesthesia are covered including preoperative care, triage and resuscitation, practical anaesthetic techniques and postoperative care. Basic equipment is discussed along with useful guidance on essential drugs and their doses. There are separate sections on ketamine, regional, obstetric and paediatric anaesthesia.

This short book is not intended to stand alone as a complete anaesthesia handbook but to make practical suggestions to support trained anaesthetists as they adapt to field anaesthesia. It contains much useful information from an experienced author and is strongly recommended. It costs £5

Iain Wilson

Published by Medecins san Frontiers - Service medical 8 Rue Saint-Sabin - 75544 Paris, Cedex 11 - France Tel +33 (0) 1 40212929 Fax + 33 (0) 1 48066868 UK office: + 44 20 77135600