• This is a foundation level manual in the popular series from the BSAVA. It presents the basic principles upon which the practice of modern veterinary surgery is based. The principles of surgery will often dictate the outcome of a surgical procedure, more so than the use of the most up-to-date technique, and the surgeon ignores them at their peril. The BSAVA Manual of Surgical Principles presents a solid grounding in the basic principles, with practical examples of why they are important, creating a manual that is very readable and relevant for the veterinary surgeon in practice

    Meticulous attention to the basic principles of surgery is critical if a good surgical outcome is to be achieved. Good surgeons are not those who are simply skilled at surgery, but those who ensure that every aspect of patient care is performed at the highest standard. Complications that arise following surgery are often attributable to a lack of understanding or appreciation of the importance of these basic principles. This manual provides a solid grounding in best practice for the basic principles of veterinary surgery, which will be particularly helpful for veterinary students, new graduates and veterinary nurses as well as any veterinary surgeon wishing to update their knowledge

    • Contributors
      • Frontmatter, pp.: v - vi
    • Preface
    • Foreword
      • Frontmatter, pp.: vii - vii
      • Frontmatter, pp.: viii - viii
    • Sterilization and disinfection
    • Surgical facilities – design, management, equipment and personnel
      • Chapter 1, pp.: 1 - 7
      • Chapter 2, pp.: 8 - 21
    • Surgical instruments – types and use
    • Surgical instruments – materials, manufacture and care
      • Chapter 3, pp.: 22 - 27
      • Chapter 4, pp.: 28 - 38
    • Surgical staplers
    • Suture materials
      • Chapter 5, pp.: 39 - 57
      • Chapter 6, pp.: 58 - 67
    • Preoperative assessment
    • Surgical lasers
      • Chapter 7, pp.: 68 - 74
      • Chapter 8, pp.: 75 - 87
    • Fluid therapy, and electrolyte and acid–base abnormalities
    • Preoperative stabilization
      • Chapter 9, pp.: 88 - 103
      • Chapter 10, pp.: 104 - 126
    • The immune and inflammatory response to anaesthesia and surgery
    • Shock, sepsis and SIRS
      • Chapter 11, pp.: 127 - 141
      • Chapter 12, pp.: 142 - 147
    • Principles and practice of analgesia
    • Postoperative management
      • Chapter 13, pp.: 148 - 167
      • Chapter 14, pp.: 168 - 187
    • Aseptic technique
    • Principles of nutritional support
      • Chapter 15, pp.: 188 - 197
      • Chapter 16, pp.: 198 - 209
    • Surgical wound infection and antimicrobial prophylaxis
    • Healing of elective surgical wounds
      • Chapter 17, pp.: 210 - 219
      • Chapter 18, pp.: 220 - 230
    • Haemostasis and blood component therapy
    • Hospital-acquired infection
      • Chapter 19, pp.: 231 - 237
      • Chapter 20, pp.: 238 - 263
    • Principles of operative technique
      • Chapter 21, pp.: 264 - 276
    • Suture patterns and surgical knots
      • Chapter 22, pp.: 277 - 292
  • Stephen Baines MA VetMB PhD CertVR CertSAS DipECVS MRCVS
    RCVS and European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery

    Stephen qualified from Cambridge University in 1990. He held an internship at North Carolina State University and then spent a year in general practice before taking up a residency in small animal surgery at the University of Liverpool. In 2000 he completed a PhD in canine tumour biology at Cambridge, where he remained as a lecturer. In 2004 he moved to the Royal Veterinary College, becoming a senior lecturer and head of surgery. Stephen moved to his current position at the Willows Veterinary Centre in 2011. Stephen is interested in clinical oncology, wound management and reconstructive surgery, and minimally invasive surgery.

    Vicky Lipscomb MA VetMB CertSAS FHEA DipECVS MRCVS
    European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery

    Vicky graduated from Cambridge University in 1996 and has spent time in both general and referral practice. Vicky completed her specialist surgical training at the Royal Veterinary College in 2001, gaining the European Diploma in Small Animal Surgery in 2002. Vicky returned to the RVC as a lecturer in 2003, becoming a senior lecturer and head of soft tissue surgery in 2011. Vicky is interested in all aspects of soft tissue surgery, enjoys teaching and lecturing on soft tissue surgery topics, and has a particular interest in clinical research of congenital portosystemic shunts.

    Tim Hutchinson BVSc CertSAS MRCVS

    Tim graduated from the University of Liverpool in 1994 and has worked in private practice ever since. Tim gained his certificate in soft tissue surgery in 2002. Since 1998 Tim has worked at Larkmead Veterinary Group in South Oxfordshire, a member of XLVets - a group of independent practices, with a nationwide footprint, cooperating to provide ‘Excellence in Practice'. Tim currently divides his time between referral surgical work and a managing partner role.

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