Surgical Recall: should i wait?

[fennek]

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hey SDNers! 😀

after looking through many threads here as well as reviews in Amazon, i've decided to get myself a copy of Surgical Recall. just one issue: i've already completed my MS3 general surgery clerkship, so i've missed out on one big opportunity to use the book.

i'll be having my paediatric posting as well as various subspecialty postings (opthalmology, ENT) after my summer break, so the book will still be useful. i'll also be doing nearly 3 months worth of surgical electives from February to May next year. what's bothering me is that i've gotten news that the 5th edition will be published in May 2008!! 🙁

i've been borrowing the 3rd edition of Recall from my school library, but would like to get my own copy soon. but there's the temptation of waiting for the latest edition to come out... so, for those of you who have used two different editions, is there really that much of a difference? 😕

 

[ChildNeuro]

Hi, while I found Surgical Recall to be very helpful during surgery rotation, I own a copy of the most recent edition, but, I don't believe that I will re-read it for Step 2 though . . . i.e. there are alot of Surgery topics that are very important and not covered in Surgical recall. To me, it seems more of a practical resource if you are on the rotation, i.e. how to tie knows, quick mnemonics. If I was doing a surgical elective, I would read up on that elective instead of surgical recall, *except if it is a general surgery sub-I or general surgery related* If you do not plan to go into surgery, IMHO buying surgical recall post-surgery rotation would be of limited value.

There is also an advanced surgical recall for residents, which confusing enough, misses some of the major points in Surgical recall, but has some more advanced information.

 

[fennek]

ChildNeuro,

thanks for the reply! i agree that i've missed out on my biggest opportunity to use the book. i must point out that i'm in a 5 year program, so on top of the electives that i'll be doing (which will probably be in general surgery and/or a subinternship), i will have further revision postings in my 5th year. i will most definitely take note of some of your suggestions though. 🙂