Atlas of Pelvic Anatomy and Gynecologic Surgery 2021

The Atlas of Pelvic Anatomy and Gynecologic Surgery was first published 20 years ago. The book has been revised according to an
approximate 5-year cycle. With the publication of the fifth edition, the authors have followed past precedent by carrying out
focused, timely revisions that affect several chapters throughout the book. In addition, new chapters have been added to
strengthen the overall scope of the book. We have continued to
balance nontediously written descriptions with color illustrations and photographs. Similarly, we continue to develop the
art of hybrid technology, which uses actual photographs strategically altered via skilled, computer-generated manipulation.
The authors of this atlas are mindful for the reasons behind
the book’s existence: (1) All surgery reduced to its lowest common denominator is an anatomic dissection. (2) Surgical operations depend on precise knowledge of anatomic relationships.
(3) Lengthy written descriptions of surgical procedures are
tiresome when compared with viewing color illustrations and
actual photographs. (4) The majority of gynecologists will not
perform cadaver dissection beyond their medical school experience. To be remembered, anatomic exercises must demonstrate
practical application(s). (5) Successful textbooks are used by a
large population of residents, fellows, nurses, practitioners, and
faculty as a reference source and as a tool to prepare for upcoming surgical procedures.
The fifth edition is organized by section/chapter and follows
a logical plan of anatomy first, followed by a spectrum of operations that are structured, step by step, from beginning to end.
Gynecologic operations are shown by abdominal and vaginal
approaches, as well as by hysteroscopic, laparoscopic, robotic,
and cystoscopic routes. Regardless of the route, a hysterectomy
should be performed with the same model and technique.
Laparoscopic surgery should mimic laparotomy through the
best effort of the surgeon. The logical progression of chapters
follows the format in the previous edition, which makes the
book easy to navigate. Among the key foundations relative to
the aforesaid, high-quality illustrations are the backbone on
which this unique textbook rests. Twenty years ago, our artist’s
half-tone illustrations, which were showcased in our first edition, eclipsed the rather simple line drawings featured in competing textbooks. Following each subsequent edition, color has
replaced the black-and-white format to the extent of shifting the
standard for contemporary illustrations. The wider use of photographs that show cadaver dissections, operative procedures,
and autopsies has increased with each subsequent edition and
will reach its highest volume in the fifth edition.
The authors of the Atlas of Pelvic Anatomy and Gynecologic Surgery are in fact truly authors, not editors, wherein the latter is
characteristic of most other large textbooks. We have personally written the majority of the chapters in the fifth edition. We
have carefully selected contributors for the remaining chapters.
Only the most knowledgeable and skilled surgeons were invited
to participate, with the idea that they would add to the overall
quality of the book.
The last four editions of this book have witnessed global
appeal. Our goal for this fifth edition is directed toward increasing the interest of domestic, as well as international, audiences.
A frequently asked question relates to cost—particularly, why a
textbook of this sort is so much more costly than some other
surgical textbooks. The greatest costs center around book production and artwork. The former includes editing, production
of proofs, design of cover, and layout of interior pages. One of
the most critical decisions requires the selection of high-quality paper on which the contents will be printed. As authors, we
lobby for high-weight glossy paper that shows our photographs
and color illustrations very clearly. A substantial portion of the
budget is devoted to artwork, which translates to paying our
medical artist, as it is very costly to create the anatomically correct drawings made for this edition. All in all, production is a
complex, expensive process.
Finally, creating a book of 1500 pages is akin to a birth process. Following a prolonged gestation, the book comes together
as a completed manuscript. The best contributors get their
chapters in on time, and the building blocks of completed work
will disclose the essence of the future book. The creative spirit
of the authors comes to the fore when the book is finally published. Behold our baby is born