Essential Anesthesia is a concise, accessible introduction to anesthetic practice. Now in its second edition, it provides a thorough overview of the science and practice of anesthesia. Part I describes the evaluation of the patient, the different approaches to anesthesia, and the post-operative care of the patient in pain. Part II introduces the essentials of physiology and pharmacology and their role in understanding the principles of anesthesia. The final part presents a step-by-step description of 14 clinical cases. These clinical vignettes give a very real introduction to the practicalities of anesthesia and will give the non-anesthetist physician an idea of how to prepare a patient for a surgical procedure. All chapters have been expanded and updated and an entirely new chapter on safety in healthcare has been added. This is the perfect introductory text for medical students, junior doctors and all operating theatre and critical care staff.

'This book is sufficiently brief and succinct to be of interest to its targeted audience. At the same time it is sufficiently comprehensive and lucid to retain the lay person's interest, and impart a meaningful understanding of the practice and scope of anesthesiology. … very well written and most appropriate for its intended audience. I recommend this book highly to medical students, junior doctors, and medical professionals in other disciplines who wish to acquire a good grasp of the essentials of anesthesiology.'

Source: Canadian Journal of Anesthesia

'… 'a very short history of anesthesia' with just the right amount and substance of information to stir the interest of the curious reader, and sets the tone for this useful and concise introduction to the speciality. … In their Preface, the authors declare that this primer 'is a concise, accessible introduction to the essentials of anesthesia suitable for medical students, junior doctors and all operating theater staff.' In this respect the authors have more than succeeded.'

Source: Hong Kong Medical Journal

'This book provides a very good introduction to the subject for medical students, those contemplating an anaesthetic career, and anaesthetic assistants. it would also be a good read for surgical trainees to gain understanding of some of the basic principles of anaesthetic practice. In my opinion, it could be an ideal book for anaesthetic departments to have on a loan system for rotational studies.'

Source: The Journal of Anaesthesia

'Among the many and varied anesthesia books, this one tailored to the needs of medical students and nonanesthesiologists fills a particular niche.'

Source: Doody's Notes