New book on Oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery

    The Video Atlas of Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (Elsevier), by Bobby S Korn and Don O Kikkawa, is quite simply an excellent atlas. Although the title is incomplete, as it is both a video atlas and a printed atlas, the content is complete, covering the entire range of the discipline. There are 76 chapters, divided into four main sections: ‘Introduction to the Foundations of Oculofacial Plastic Surgery’, ‘Eyelid & Face’, ‘Lacrimal System’, and ‘Orbit’. Topics range from the most basic procedures, such as a surgical treatment of chalazion and upper blepharoplasty, to more advanced treatments like an inferior orbitotomy for cavernous hemangioma and endoscopic dacryorhinostomy with balloon dacryoplasty. However, the emphasis of the atlas is the treatment of eyelid and periocular facial pathology, comprising 52 of the 76 chapters. This make the atlas an attractive reference and treatment guide for the many general ophthalmologists who treat these disorders. The foreword says that the videos are “the next best thing to being there in the operating room with the authors”. I would take it a step further and say that it might be as good or even better than being there in the OR, watching the surgeon perform each procedure. Why? Because the videos are well edited, the view and the lighting are excellent, the procedures are accelerated through the repetitive steps such as suturing and cautering, the important points are highlighted, and the voice-over is clear, unhurried and undistracted by the actual operation. As this is a surgical atlas, the focus is strictly surgical - there is no discussion of pathogenesis, diagnostics or non-surgical treatment options. This is, however, among the book’s strengths, namely that it is lean and to the point, despite being more than 500 pages long. Each pathology has its own chapter. Each chapter begins with two tables: ‘Indications for Surgery’ and ‘Preoperative Evaluation’, which list the crucial points that need to be covered. A short introductory paragraph leads directly into the surgical technique. The photographs are well labelled in order to orient the reader. ‘Before’ and ‘After’ photos are also supplied. At the end of each chapter, there are two additional tables: ‘Complications and Suggestions to Reduce Risk’, and ‘Consumables Used During Surgery’. The videos and the entire text are accessible online via expertconsult.com, and on mobile devices via Inkling, a free app. Both are well-built platforms whose easy-to-navigate interfaces and are a pleasure to use. While the text (including all images but not videos) can be downloaded on to your device, an active internet connection is required to view the videos. This atlas, both book and video series, are ideal for ambitious residents during their oculoplastics rotation, fellows, general ophthalmologists who perform any of these procedures, and early-career subspecialists. An experienced surgeon might even find a few gems, tips and tricks inside.