This compact reference is a must for every physician who cares for an ileostomy patient and may also appeal to the more sophisticated patient. The brevity of the text warrants special comment. Rarely has such a concise manual encompassed so much information. The author's indepth knowledge and excellent editing result in an exceptionally well-organized and most readable text.
The book is conveniently divided into three parts. The first deals with the preoperative preparation of the patient, technical aspects of ileostomy construction, and the immediate postoperative period. Emphasis is placed on the practical mechanics of patient education in such areas as skin care, choice of ileostomy appliance, care of the appliance, diet, and activity.
The second section deals with ileostomy complications, ranging from such mundane but potentially upsetting topics as odor and gas to the more orthodox complications considered in most texts, such as stenosis, prolapse, renal stones, and recurrent disease.