Textbook for ICU/Surgical Critical Care

[newenglander]

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Hey everybody,

Surgery intern here about to start rotation on SICU. I'm also leaning towards actually doing Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, though I know that's a long way away. Anyway, I have read much of Marino's ICU book and really enjoyed it and found it helpful (and I know if I actually new everything in it, I'd be a genius). I was hoping, however, to get a more comprehensive Critical Care textbook as a more thorough reference. I searched the Critical Care forum and that seems to be mostly dominated by people talking about Critical Care from the Medicine route...does anyone here have any recommendations for a good book for Surgical Critical Care? Textbook of Critical Care by Vincent et al seems like a good choice, but I've also heard Irwin and Rippe's is good too...or should I just stick to my trusty The ICU Book by Marino?

Thanks for your input!

 

[SLUser11]

Hey everybody,

Surgery intern here about to start rotation on SICU. I'm also leaning towards actually doing Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, though I know that's a long way away. Anyway, I have read much of Marino's ICU book and really enjoyed it and found it helpful (and I know if I actually new everything in it, I'd be a genius). I was hoping, however, to get a more comprehensive Critical Care textbook as a more thorough reference. I searched the Critical Care forum and that seems to be mostly dominated by people talking about Critical Care from the Medicine route...does anyone here have any recommendations for a good book for Surgical Critical Care? Textbook of Critical Care by Vincent et al seems like a good choice, but I've also heard Irwin and Rippe's is good too...or should I just stick to my trusty The ICU Book by Marino?

Thanks for your input!

I wouldn't purchase a big textbook. Surgical Critical Care is a rapidly-evolving specialty, and the pendulum swings back and forth on a lot of issues (e.g. fluids are good, fluids are bad, lines are good, lines are bad, blood is good....). If the textbook was published in 2010, it's already outdated. By the time I finish typing this sentence, it's recommendations will be obsolete (just kidding...sort of). Just as importantly, there are a lot of emotional topics with associated bias.

I think it's best to read the critical care literature, and supplement it with lectures and mp3s. Burndoc.net is one place to start.

 

[doc05]

I agree. Personally, I didn't like the Marino book -- lots of outdated information in the edition I read...

 

[newenglander]

Thanks for the input; I'll stick to the literature for sure...with a little PRN Marino to refresh myself when I need to be reminded of something basic. Also, burndoc.net has some good stuff on it, thanks for that!

 

[Thanatos]

I wouldn't purchase a big textbook. Surgical Critical Care is a rapidly-evolving specialty, and the pendulum swings back and forth on a lot of issues (e.g. fluids are good, fluids are bad, lines are good, lines are bad, blood is good....). If the textbook was published in 2010, it's already outdated. By the time I finish typing this sentence, it's recommendations will be obsolete (just kidding...sort of). Just as importantly, there are a lot of emotional topics with associated bias.

I think it's best to read the critical care literature, and supplement it with lectures and mp3s. Burndoc.net is one place to start.

This is so true. Sometimes I reflect and wonder if I can keep it all straight.

To the OP I did like the Marino book for the basics though, its very readable and has some practical advice regarding vent management that I thought were helpful.