Clinical Anesthesia Procedures of the Massachusetts General Hospital 
asked by costa on October 29, 2006 8:34 PM
Relied on for 20 years by resident and practicing anesthesiologists and CRNAs, this best-selling pocket reference is now in its Sixth Edition. In easy-to-scan outline format, it provides current, comprehensive, concise, consistent, and clinically relevant guidelines for anesthesia procedures throughout the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods. Each chapter is written by a Massachusetts General Hospital resident with a faculty mentor, and the entire book has been reviewed, updated, and field-tested by the anesthesia staff. This edition includes new information on muscle relaxants, opioids, minimally invasive abdominal surgery, pediatrics, end-of-life issues, and latex allergies, plus a comprehensive, alphabetical drug appendix.
Reviews
First of all, I must say that this is an excellent book to get detailed information when you are in a bind in the OR. But the problem I have with this book is that it is sort of in a no-man's-land of materials. If I need the nitty-gritty on a subject, I go to Barash or Miller, but in the OR, I only need to get to the stuff I seem to have forgotten, so I go to Ezekiel. Mass General falls somewhere between too much information for the OR, and not enough information for home use. I've also found it rather difficult at times to find things with the small, cramped print. (Not to mention that it doesn't fit as easily as Ezekiel in the back pocket of your scrubs)
Undeniably, this is a good book with a wealth of information, but I don't understand why people rely on it so heavily.
Undeniably, this is a good book with a wealth of information, but I don't understand why people rely on it so heavily.
reviewed by paradiselove on November 10, 2006 2:21 PM
This book seems to be the icon for O.R. pocket references in Anesthesiology.
I carry this book with me to the O.R. almost daily for an available quick-read before an add-on case. The sections are set in a systematic and logical fashion, making review and reference quick. It's seen on almost every resident's anesthesia cart, and then the cover is usually well-worn from frequent use.
A very good book, but not intended for board review.
reviewed by lauren on November 23, 2006 10:00 PM
"Clinical Anesthesia Procedures of the Massuchussets General Hospital" offers concise yet thorough coverage on all aspects of anesthesia. From preoperative visit to basic airway management, from fluid requirements of the surgical patient to specific considerations on cardiac, respiratory and liver diseases, this book has it all in an easily accesible way, especially when your above the "blood-brain barrier". I would especially recomend the chapter on resuscitation of trauma and burns victims, because of the thorough coverage of the subject, better than in many surgical textbooks I have read.
reviewed by alec on November 27, 2006 3:56 AM
I have over 15 years of experience as an anesthesiologist at the prestigious Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut. I've seen it all; however, this text challenged me. I highly recommend it, and every practicing MD and CRNA should have a copy to review and use as a teaching tool and guide.
reviewed by glassysurf on November 28, 2006 6:24 PM
This book encapsulates all the necessary information for clinical practice of anesthesia. It also includes MANY charts and protocols for drugs, malignant hypothermia, ACLS, etc. I can't enter the OR without it.
reviewed by mattisboss on November 29, 2006 6:14 AM
