what is the best general surgery text book??
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As a medical student, it will really be whatever text and or materials mostly used by your staff.
As a resident, PDs usually have a preferred text. Sometimes the program may even buy you a text. But, in the end it will most depend on what text works best for you. There are numerous texts and some are so full of stats and dry material I couldn't use them. Others will be too thin on the basics that you won't get what you need. You will really need to see what works for you and the specific topics.
For medical school I recommend: Essentials of General Surgery (Lawrence), Surgical Recall (Blackbourne), and NMS Casebook (Jarrell). Some also like Case Files in Surgery.
For 4th year I recommend: Current Surgery Diagnosis and Treatment (Doherty) or re-read Lawrence.
For 1-2nd year residency I recommend Sabiston or Schwartz. I've read the latest versions of each and both are good. The new Schwartz has a lot of good pictures. Greenfield is coming out with a new edition in the fall, but that will probably be too late for the ABSITE. Absite Review by Fiser is concise and good for review. The ICU Book (Marino) will give you the basics for ICU stuff.
For 4th year I recommend: Current Surgery Diagnosis and Treatment (Doherty) or re-read Lawrence.
For 1-2nd year residency I recommend Sabiston or Schwartz. I've read the latest versions of each and both are good. The new Schwartz has a lot of good pictures. Greenfield is coming out with a new edition in the fall, but that will probably be too late for the ABSITE. Absite Review by Fiser is concise and good for review. The ICU Book (Marino) will give you the basics for ICU stuff.
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Atlas of General Surgical Technique by Courtney M. Townsend, Jr., MD and B. Mark Evers, MD is excellent to supplement the authors you mentioned. Thieme has some sub specialty books in neurosurgery, laproscopy and in other niche areas.
There is NO one right book for everyone.
You will find as many answers as there are options.
Please do not buy a major surgical text as a medical student; you will not appreciate the nuances of what makes a good text for YOU and may waste money as most programs have a book they prefer, and teach from.
Review them all at your local library, and see which fits you best.
For your junior resident years, pick one of the big three - Sabiston, Greenfield, Shwartz. The content is *the same* in all, they're just edited and arranged differently. The one you choose is entirely up to your own preferences. Look at all three, pick the one you like.
Mastery of Surgery is best saved for your senior years in residency. It has less (or a more focused) background, and gives an emphasis on operative approach & technique. As a PGY4, this is currently my textbook of choice, along with Trauma and Maingot.
I found Cameron was a good way to transition between the junior and senior years. The chapters are short and to the point, and helps you focus on the clinically relevant material.
Hope this helps.
For your junior resident years, pick one of the big three - Sabiston, Greenfield, Shwartz. The content is *the same* in all, they're just edited and arranged differently. The one you choose is entirely up to your own preferences. Look at all three, pick the one you like.
Mastery of Surgery is best saved for your senior years in residency. It has less (or a more focused) background, and gives an emphasis on operative approach & technique. As a PGY4, this is currently my textbook of choice, along with Trauma and Maingot.
I found Cameron was a good way to transition between the junior and senior years. The chapters are short and to the point, and helps you focus on the clinically relevant material.
Hope this helps.
D
deleted89854
I liked having a Greenfield as a junior resident, since it's pretty basic science heavy and has good illustrations. It is not as concise as Cameron or as exhaustive as Schwartz. For the senior exam, the Cameron seems more relevant. I want to take a look at Mastery of Surgery, since the "technique" portions of these books can be somewhat lacking. We have online access to ACS Surgery and Zollingers, so I've always used those to prep before cases.
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