Improved Outcomes in Colon and Rectal Surgery part 2. Written by many of the worlds leading colorectal surgeons, this evidence-based text investigates the risks and benefits of colorectal surgeries. By using clinical pathways, algorithms, and case discussions, the authors identify the best practices for patient safety and positive outcomes to ensure that physicians correctly recognize potential problems and carefully manage complications | Foreword In Improved Outcomes in Colon and Rectal Surgery Drs. Whitlow Beck Margolin Hicks and Timmcke have assembled a knowledgeable expert and distinguished group of contributors who additionally have flavored their contributions with their practical experience and how I do it approaches. This volume is the third in a series dealing with improving outcomes avoiding complications and in general improving the lot of patients who require surgery for conditions of the large bowel rectum and anus. The stated objective of guiding less experienced surgeons in avoiding the pitfalls of both commonly encountered complications and those of rarer occurrence is well met in this volume. It should be in the library of all neophyte surgeons and deserves to be read even by experienced practitioners. The field of colon and rectal surgery is a dynamic one with endoscopic and open surgery procedures at a mature stage. With constantly improving laparoscopic techniques robotic surgery and other modalities only dreamed about in the past requiring every surgeon to continue to learn and improve this book fills a visible need. I congratulate the editors and contributors for assembling an extremely useable and timely text. J Byron Gathright Jr. MD Chairman Emeritus Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery Ochsner Clinic New Orleans Louisiana USA .
