Highly Commended, BMA Medical Book Awards 2014 Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery remains one of the world's pre-eminent medical textbooks, beloved by generations of surgeons, with lifetime sales in excess of one million copies. Under the guidance of the eminent editors, the expert team of contributors have revised and updated the material throughout while retaining those features praised in previous editions. The content is sub-divided into parts for ease of reference. Sections devoted to the underlying principles of surgical practice, investigation and diagnosis, and pre-operative care are followed by chapters covering all aspects of surgical trauma. The remainder of the book considers each of the surgical specialties in turn, from elective orthopaedics through skin, head, and neck, breast and endocrine, cardiothoracic and vascular, abdominal and genitourinary to transplantation. Key features: Authoritative — emphasises the importance of effective clinical examination and soundly based surgical principles while taking account throughout of the latest developments in surgical practice Current — text and illustrations fully revised with brand new chapters on patient safety, day care surgery (outpatient), and bariatric surgery Readable — preserves the clear, direct writing style, uncluttered by technical jargon, that has proved so popular in previous editions User-friendly — numerous photographs, explanatory line diagrams, learning objectives, summary boxes, biographical footnotes and memorable anecdotes support and enhance the textual descriptions This 26th edition retains a wide appeal among all those studying surgery, from undergraduate medical students to those in preparation for their postgraduate surgical examinations. I