It is 20 years since the publication of the first edition of this book. I have very fond memories of the original edition. It came at a time when many of us in the UK were first being introduced to the value of endoscopic approaches to rhinosinusitis. At the time, the major textbooks available were Heinz Stammberger's Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery and Malte Wigand's book. Stammberger's beautiful book was long and heavy, while Wigand's was shorter and pragmatic. For the embryo endoscopic sinus surgeon, they complemented each other perfectly.
The new edition has been much expanded, but still provides a valuable guide for established and trainee rhinologists. The chapters are well structured, the writing style is good and the quality of the illustrations is generally good. The chapter on sinus anatomy is particularly well presented, with superb prosections illustrating important points. Radiology is covered adequately, although the quality of reproduction of some of the CT images is sub-optimal.
The chapters on instrumentation and surgery present a very individual approach to sinus surgery that may not be familiar to many rhinologists. Wigand's ‘trademark’ has been the use of angled endoscopes with suction irrigation and the ancillary use of the operating microscope. The use of other ancillary tools, such as microdebriders, curved drills and surgical navigation systems are dismissed as technical innovations that have ‘not yet found their definitive evaluation for everyday practice’. This view will not be in tune with the majority of rhinologists practicing today. The surgical steps in the so-called ‘pansinus operation’ for ethmoidal polyposis are also well described and reflect a philosophy of radical surgery for severe polyposis which not all rhinologists would adopt and which is not supported by level one evidence. Nevertheless, the description and philosophy behind this approach are very well presented.
There are good chapters on anterior skull base surgery, complications and surgical failures. The only major omission is any mention of the endoscopic management of epistaxis, either in terms of vascular anatomy or surgical procedures.
In summary, this book is an excellent companion for the advanced trainee and established specialist. It is concise, well illustrated and readable, and can be thoroughly recommended.
