The best all-around surgical text...let the debate begin

[ribspreader]

so...

i want to buy a general surgery text and read thru it during my 4th year...

which best all-around do you suggest...basic science, pathophys, procedures, anatomy, READABLE, etc....??????

gracias

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[Blade28]

Are you planning on going into surgery?

Most people wouldn't recommend med students buying a full text unless they'll use it during residency as well - there just isn't enough time to finish it during your MS-IV year (unless you really dedicate yourself!).

Having said that, most junior residents like Sabiston's, Schwartz or Greenfield. You should pick a topic and see how each book presents it to see which you prefer. It's also advisable to wait until internship, though (assuming you're going into G Surg) because often the book will be purchased for you via book funds, or a certain book will be required because all of the readings/lectures/quizzes will come out of there. No way of knowing which book that will be in advance.

Senior residents often switch to a more management-based book like Cameron's.

If you're looking for a medical student-level book, something like Lawrence will suffice.

 

[Winged Scapula]

The other problem in addition to the excellent points by Blade28 above, is that there really isn't a book that contains everything the OP is looking for.

Sure Mastery of Surgery has some drawings, and ACS describes some procedures, but a text with basic science, pathophysiology, procedures and anatomy? Tough to find anything which would be comprehensive.

That said, if you have a few hundred dollars laying around (these books aren't cheap) and really want to buy a book, Blade mentions the most commonly used. I used Greenfield but its a tough slog, lots of basic science; you might almost be better off getting Cameron as its much more readable and would give you a good overview (although it presumes background knowledge which you could get elsewhere). I think it much more likely that you'll get through it.

Another option is to read a handbook like Mount Reid or the MD Anderson series.

 

[Blade28]

Ah, great points above about handbooks.

I plan to buy Cameron in a year's time.

 

[SLUser11]

so...

i want to buy a general surgery text and read thru it during my 4th year...

which best all-around do you suggest...basic science, pathophys, procedures, anatomy, READABLE, etc....??????

gracias

Don't buy anything. If you are going into surgery, you can start buying textbooks in residency when you know what you need for your conferences, etc.

If you are interested in surgery, go to the library and read their copy of Sabiston's Textbook of Surgery. It's an easy read.

Having now read both Sabiston and Schwartz, I can say with certainty that I personally prefer Sabiston, and it's a landslide......

I'm also a fan of Cameron's, and I bought the new edition as soon as it came out. I will read it this year, but I have to admit I was surprised when I found out that each new edition has mostly new authors and chapters......

 

[Winged Scapula]

Sluser...

why you no like Schwartz? I've not read either Schwartz or Sabiston so was just wondering.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Please see this thread for more info about books.

 

[SLUser11]

Sluser...

why you no like Schwartz? I've not read either Schwartz or Sabiston so was just wondering.

1. I read Sabiston first, so it was my gold standard.

2. Schwartz was a harder read, from having less interesting paragraph structure to smaller print to more tedious info.

3. Schwartz seemed to gloss over things that I felt were important, while diving into great detail about things I felt to be less important, possibly reflecting the author's personal interests, but don't quote me on that.

4. It had several recommendations that seemed outdated and possibly inaccurate, even though the edition is brand new.

Some people love the book, which is why I mentioned that this is all just personal preference.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Re: Outdated reviews

I find it interesting on Amazon when I am looking at a new edition of a book only to see reviews from 2002, 2004, etc. Seems like they link all reviews of a certain title, regardless of the edition.

I was also interested because I am currently reviewing the Schwartz Board Review book and I've noticed some errors.

 

[sponch]

why buy when you can just read it online through your institution? you can even print it out using the hospital printers. save your education allowance for useful things like buying beer for the nursing staff...or at least loupes.

 

[Winged Scapula]

why buy when you can just read it online through your institution? you can even print it out using the hospital printers.

Some of us like books, not printed pages from a cheap copier. Besides, don't you think someone would notice if you printed out 1500 pages double sided?😀

save your education allowance for useful things like buying beer for the nursing staff...or at least loupes.

My loupes were paid for and while I liked some of the nurses, the last thing I'd do is buy them beer. Talk about risking being drunk paged!

 

[Blade28]

why buy when you can just read it online through your institution? you can even print it out using the hospital printers. save your education allowance for useful things like buying beer for the nursing staff...or at least loupes.

I don't like reading textbooks on a computer monitor, and don't want to continuously print pages out.

Plus then you'd have hundreds of loose pages...then what, eventually sort them and put them into a binder? Too much work. Much easier to just read Sabiston's.