Neonatal Anesthesia

Book excerpt: Since publication of the first edition in 2015, neonatal anesthesia and surgery have advanced at lightning speed with many new developments, hence the need to update several essential topics. These include our understanding of neonatal apoptosis, the ever-increasing use of regional anesthesia in neonates, pharmacology of drugs in neonates, the delivery of anesthesia outside the operating room, neonatal resuscitation/guidelines, and perinatal complexities such as the EXIT procedure together with the fundamental principles of developmental physiology, airway management and ventilation as well as perioperative complications and ethical considerations that are unique to this age group. This comprehensive and well-illustrated book is led by Dr. Jerrold Lerman who brings four decades of research, publication and clinical experience in pediatric and neonatal anesthesia. He has amassed a team of recognized international experts in neonatal anesthesia, surgery, and intensive care to share their knowledge in managing neonates for the challenges they face both within and without the surgical suites. Neonatal Anesthesia, the 2nd edition, is the quintessential clinical reference for perioperative care of these small patients that should be read by trainees as well as experienced clinicians and is certain to become an invaluable resource for every anesthetic and critical care department that serves children. Reviews from the 1st edition: “Lerman’s book stands alone as an up-to-date text dedicated exclusively to the practice of anesthesia in neonates ... . The text covers its subject matter in extraordinary breadth and depth. ... Throughout the book there are illustrative and clinically relevant diagrams, nicely supporting and summarizing relevant text for the more visual learner. ... Neonatal Anesthesia is a sophisticated but approachable text that offers its readers theory-based practical approaches to understanding and managing anesthesia in our youngest, most fragile patient population.” (Stephanie A. Black and Lynne G. Maxwell, Anesthesiology, Vol. 125 (3), 2016) “It is a long-awaited contribution to the literature, filling a gap of over a decade without a neonatal anaesthesia textbook. ... textbook should hold an essential and required spot on the bookshelf of any anaesthetist or critical care physician who cares for neonates. ... The reference lists are comprehensive and exhaustive. Dr Lerman should be commended for finally presenting the anaesthesia community worldwide with this textbook, which will be able to stand on its own, probably for the next decade.” (K. P. Mason, British Journal of Anaesthesia, Vol. 116 (4), 2016) “This book covers in 400-plus pages and 17 chapters most of what is known about the neonatal airway, physiology, drugs and anesthetics, with separate chapters on each subcategory of neonatal anesthesia. ... Certainly pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists who only occasionally care for children, students, residents, and fellows will appreciate this book. ... This is a large book on a narrow topic that has increasing relevance to the field of current pediatric practice. It is well written, well illustrated, and highly useful.” (Robert M. Arensman, Doody’s Book Reviews, April, 2015) “The book has many outstanding chapters that have been thoughtfully crafted by leading researchers in specific fields. ... this book is an essential addition to any pediatric anesthesiology library in any organization that provides care to neonates. This book is an excellent resource, not only for anesthesiologists at every level of training and expertise but also for other professionals who provide postoperative care, administer sedative drugs, control the airway, and undertake procedures in newborn infants.” (Carolyne Montgomery and J. Mark Ansermino, Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol. 62, 2015)