Cope's Early Diagnosis of the Acute Abdomen (Silen, Early Diagnosis of the Acute Abdomen) [Paperback]

Sir Zachary Cope (Author), William Silen M.D. (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 17, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0195175468 | ISBN-13: 978-0195175462 | Edition: 21st

This famous text is much beloved by medical students and physicians-in-training throughout the English-speaking world, as its many editions indicate. Despite its relatively narrow focus, it is chock full of the pearls of clinical wisdom that students and practitioners treasure, and many of these lessons apply to medicine in general. The book was well characterized by a reviewer of an earlier edition for The New England Journal of Medicine: "If only one book about surgery could be made available to physicians from all specialties, it should probably be Silen's recent revision of Cope's Early Diagnosis of the Acute Abdomen. Since the book first appeared more than 30 years ago, it has remained the classic treatise on the initial approach to abdominal pain." Because acute, severe abdominal pain is still a common problem whose misdiagnosis can result in quick death, each generation of beginning physicians is faced with the urgency of learning to make a diagnosis in this high anxiety situation and they appreciate the wise, humane, precisely detailed guidance offered by Cope and Silen. For the 21st Edition, Dr. Silen has again updated the text in a respectful but significant way. He has strengthened its emphasis on pitfalls in the interpretation of CT and ultrasound scans, on misadventures caused by over-reliance on blood tests and radiographs, and on careful history-taking to avoid the costs of inappropriate lab tests. He has also reviewed the data from a randomized clinical trial indicating that patients should receive adequate analgesia while awaiting a definitive diagnosis, a dictum that is contrary to traditional teaching.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book provides a wealth of clinical information and experience and is a pelasure to read for its concise, crisp style and historical context."--Doody's Book Review Service

About the Author

William Silen is Johnson and Johnson Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Surgery at Harvard Medical School.

Product Details

• Paperback: 644 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 21st edition (March 17, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195175468
• ISBN-13: 978-0195175462
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #191,892 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic medical book, required reading for all doctors., July 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Cope's Early Diagnosis of the Acute Abdomen (Paperback)

This book is an enduring classic on the diagnosis of abdominal conditions. It is a masterful exposition of differential diagnosis and physical examination. As the director of a residency program in obstetrics and gynecology, I have made it required reading for all of our residents. It is well-written, clear, concise, and full of practical wisdom. Anybody who sees patients should be familiar with this book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every aspiring surgeon should master this book, December 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Cope's Early Diagnosis of the Acute Abdomen (Hardcover)

An excellent and suprisingly readable book on surgery. Although it only discusses the abdomen, it serves as an excellent foundation for later reading in surgery. I enjoyed this book thoroughly. Very well written

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the first book to read on abdominal problems, July 3, 2003

By 

james f watkins (Sayre, PA, US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cope's Early Diagnosis of the Acute Abdomen (Paperback)

One of the most influential medical texts ever. Cope's work gets only more relevant with increasing fragmentation of care. I would argue the book is especially useful for those NOT planning a career in surgery. The work is concise, accurate, and filled with memorable language. If you spend half an hour on the appendicitis section you should be equipped to make the diagnosis correctly. Other sections are equally good, as Dr. Silen has the sense not to fix what is not broken.