Alan R. Aitkenhead - Smith and Aitkenheads Textbook of Anaesthesia

The objective of the sixth edition of Textbook of Anaesthesia remains the same as that of previous editions, namely to provide a concise, easy-to-read text for novices in anaesthesia and an essential resource for those preparing for the Primary Examinations of the Royal College of Anaesthetists. Candidates for these examinations require an extensive knowledge of the basic sciences underpinning anaesthesia, critical care and pain management, and the clinical knowledge and skills expected in those who have completed at least 12-18 months in a full-time training post.

In preparing the present edition, there have been many significant modifications. The title has been changed to Smith and Aitkenheads Textbook of Anaesthesia to reflect the enormous contributions of Professor Graham Smith to the first five editions. Two new editors have joined the editorial team to replace Professors Smith and Rowbotham. After extensive and careful review, we felt that it was essential to continue to cover in detail the basic sciences which have direct and close clinical relevance. Indeed, without this information, it is not possible to understand the clinical material described in the book. We have introduced new chapters dealing with consent and information for patients, management of the difficult airway, management of the high-risk patient, anaesthesia for abdominal surgery and in the obese patient, anaesthetic considerations in transplant patients, safety and quality improvement, resuscitation, and education and training. We have also combined the subjects of clinical measurement and monitoring into a single chapter. In addition, we have rearranged the order of chapters into a more logical format.

We asked a number of senior, experienced authors with expertise in their subject to modify or completely re-write their contributions. We have also recruited 25 new authors to ensure the invigoration of the text by fresh younger minds. We are grateful to all the authors for their contributions and we also thank our reviewers and readers who have made helpful suggestions, many of which have influenced the planning of the new edition. We are also grateful to the publishers who have cooperated in our desire to make fundamental changes.

We hope that the sixth edition will be as popular as previous editions and remain the book of choice for trainees embarking on a career in anaesthesia. Although this book is aimed primarily at the novice trainee, we are aware that many anaesthetists studying for the Final FRCA examinations use Textbook of Anaesthesia when revising the basics; we hope that this will continue. We are also aware that the book is used by trainee anaesthetists in many countries other than the UK; of course, the training needs are the same although the examination structures differ. We also believe that this is more than a book suitable for examination preparation; it continues to be a practical guide for all anaesthetists and other healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients in the perioperative period.

A.R. Aitkenhead, Nottingham

I.K. Moppett, Nottingham

J.P. Thompson, Leicester

Alan R. Aitkenhead, BSc MD FRCA , Emeritus Professor of Anaesthesia, Division of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK

Joseph E. Arrowsmith, MD FRCP FRCA FFICM , Consultant Anaesthetist, Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, UK

Nigel M. Bedforth, BM BS B Med Sci FRCA , Consultant Anaesthetist and Honorary Associate Professor, Division of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK

Martin Beed, BMedSci BMBS FRCA FFICM DM , Consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, UK

Andrew Bodenham, MB BS FRCA FICM , Consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK