The intensive care of the neonate with surgical and/or medical problems has become an increasingly demanding specialized area of pediatrics. In an effort to reduce the infant mortality due to congenital malformations, dramatic advances have been made in surgical procedures for the correction of many anomalies. With the advancement in corrective techniques have come increased demands for special expertise in the preoperative and postoperative management of these infants by nursing and paramedical personnel. Young and Weller, in their volume, Baby Surgery, Nursing Management and Care, have attempted systematically to elucidate the very special knowledge and skills necessary for the proper management of these infants.
A wide variety of congenital anomalies are described, system by system, including incidence, symtomology, and the surgical procedures which are used to correct them. The descriptions are lucid and many fine illustrations and diagrams aid in giving the reader a thorough knowledge of the conditions