Otology & Neurotology
34:1180 Ó 2013, Otology & Neurotology, Inc.
Book Review
Middle Ear and Mastoid Microsurgery, 2nd Edition
Mario Sanna, Hiroshi Sunose, Fernando Mancini,
Alessandra Russo, Abdelkader Taibah, Maurizio Falcinoi.
2nd ed. New York, NY: Thieme Publishing, 2012.
Middle Ear and Mastoid Microsurgery, 2nd edition, is
a comprehensive updated book, which built on the au-
thors’ well-organized first book on middle and mastoid
surgery. The authors kept the style of step-by-step sur-
gical technique of middle ear surgery but enhanced it with
beautifully detailed, systematic surgical photographs taken
by digital versus only film-based cameras that were
available in its original publication 8 years ago. The clear
presentation of each photo compliments the schematic
drawings in each chapter for even better instructions to the
reader. At the end of each chapter, the authors have added
representative cases from their clinical experiences with
intraoperative photos to illustrate points that were discussed
in the chapter. Key surgical procedures presented also have a
‘‘Hints and Pitfalls’’ to summarize clinical pearls of each
chapter. Topics of paraganglioma and hemipetrosectomy
have been rewritten to include modifications of Fisch’s
classification and applying the latter technique in many
clinical settings. Likewise, cochlear implantation has been
updated to include challenging cases with newer technolo-
gies the authors have gained experience over the past years.
Besides chapters of different middle ear surgeries, the
book also contains fundamental chapters including anat-
omy, operating room setup, pertinent anesthesia relating
to ear surgeries, and general technical considerations for
the readers to establish a foundation of knowledge that is
1180
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applicable toward any middle ear and mastoid surgical
procedures detailed in later chapters. A dedicated chapter
on ‘‘Decision Making in Middle Ear Surgery’’ empha-
sizes an important point of middle ear surgery the authors
wish to convey to readers as not just a series of discrete
techniques but a part of the treatment strategy that starts
from selecting an appropriate patient.
Like its predecessor, the strength of this 2nd edition
book is to help readers understand the principles and
system of middle ear and mastoid surgery by showing
clear informative step-by-step photographs of the surgical
techniques involved. All its contents have been updated
accordingly. Trainees in otolaryngology, medical stu-
dents, and those in practice will find this new edition to be
useful in providing a comprehensive and detailed refer-
ence book about middle ear and mastoid surgery. The
book not only guides the young doctors in the right di-
rection in surgical decision but also helps experienced
physicians to refine their techniques for a more favorable
surgical outcome. The authors are commended for pro-
ducing another latest high-quality, recognized best book
in this field.
Yu-Lan Mary Ying, M.D.
Otology and Neurotology
Louisiana State University
Health Science Center New Orleans
and Our Lady of the Lake Hearing and Balance Center
Baton Rouge
Louisiana, U.S.A.
yying@lsuhsc.edu
The author discloses no conflicts of interest.