Book review: "Functional Reconstruction of the Female Urinary Tract and Gynaeco-Urology"

The second edition has been updated by Prof. Chris Chapple and Mr. Nadir Osman to bring the original text into the present day, updating it with the last 20 years of advancements in open surgery in this arena and the illustrations have been skillfully redrawn by Paul Richardson. 

This surgical atlas covers the breadth of functional and reconstructive female urology, and gynaecology in extensive detail including both current day and historical procedures, the original descriptions of which are sometimes almost impossible to find elsewhere, even in this age of the internet. In addition to the original descriptions of procedures, proposed modifications are often suggested drawing on the authors’ wealth of surgical experience including case examples where relevant. Unlike other textbooks of its genre, it covers the full scope of surgical practice ranging from instruments, urodynamics, and basic reconstructive surgical techniques to detailed descriptions of surgical conditions and procedures in this field robustly supported by detailed anatomical and physiologic reasoning along the way. The new version also covers additional procedures including urethral diverticulum and autologous fascial sling (sling on a string). 

The writing is methodical and logical in manner explaining the authors’ thoughts and theory (and sometimes theology) about the underlying conditions and surgery or treatment options available augmented by indispensable hand-drawn illustrations. Although not light bedtime reading (at just 607 pages) it is nonetheless a page-turner and makes for compulsive reading despite being a textbook. I would indeed suggest (if you have the time) that you try and read it from start to finish! The flow of the book and writing is, at times, almost prose-like;  you can almost hear Turner-Warwick, Chapple, and Osman discussing the subject matter with you directly as if over coffee between cases in the operating theatre. 

This textbook is perhaps the most complete atlas in this field available and as a result, should be a vital (possibly essential) companion to surgical practice for all - from aspiring functional and reconstructive urologists through to those of us more seasoned but still with plenty to learn. Indeed the authors intend it as a “practical manual”. I can concur with the original review that this is possibly the best textbook currently available for functional and reconstructive female urology, though it could be further enhanced by including recent advances in minimally invasive surgery. Maybe I will have to wait for the third edition! To end with a Turner-Warwick-ism: “Any reconstructive procedure is a TITBAPIT – you take it to bits and (you then) put it together again. Do not TITB it if you cannot PIT it again” and this surgical manual should ensure that you are always able to TITBAPIT.