urgery has been impressive during the past two decades. Surgeons from many countries have accumulated outstanding experiences which are both unique and varied. With the aim of promoting international exchange of scientific and technical accomplishments in cardiothoracic surgery, we began in 1982 to consult with a number of leading cardiothoracic surgeons about compiling a book that would permit them to present their expertise. Through the untiring efforts of all the authors and sectional editors during the past three years, International Practice in Cardiothoracic Surgery is now published, both in an English language edition and in a Chinese language edition. There are one hundred and eleven chapters in eight sections, contributed by over a hundred authors from Brazil, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, Finland, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States of America. This book is not intended to be a textbook but a compilation of current views and tech­ nics from cardiothoracic surgeons with unique experiences who have made significant con­ tributions in certain subjects. No uniformity in format was requested. A certain amount f overlapping and even conflicting ideas are purposely collected to express the interna­ tional character of the book. We appreciate the warm support, cooperation, and hard work of all the authors, trans­ lators, sectional editors, and secretarial workers in completing the book.

Section I Historical and Current Status Review.- 1 History of Thoracic Surgery.- 2 History of Heart Surgery.- 3 History and Present Status of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in China.- 4 Current Status of Cardiothoracic Surgery.- 5 Training Programs for Cardiothoracic Surgeons.- Section II Basic Subjects.- 6 Preoperative Evaluation of Cardiopulmonary Function.- 7 Acute Respiratory Insufficiency and Ventilatory Support.- 8 Anesthesia for Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery.- 9 Anesthesia and Adult Open Heart Surgery.- 10 Acupuncture Anesthesia for Pulmonary Resection.- 11 Open Heart Operation under Acupuncture Anesthesia.- 12 Extracorporeal Circulation.- 13 Hemodilution in Cardiopulmonary Bypass.- 14 Hypothermia and Cardiac Surgery.- 15 Deep Hypothermia and Total Circulatory Arrest for Cardiac Surgery.- 16 Hypokalemia in Cardiac Surgery under Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CPB).- 17 Extracorporeal Membrane Lung Support for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.- 18 Cardioplegia.- 19 Current Status of Percutaneous Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping.- 20 Postoperative Circulatory Support with a Pulsatile Assist Pump.- 21 Nursing Care of the Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgical Patient.- 22 Nursing Care in Cardiothoracic Surgery in Adults.- Section III General Thoracic Surgery.- 23 Thoracic Trauma.- 24 Surgical Treatment of Sternal Deformities.- 25 Surgical Experience in 1300 Funnel Chest Operations in 25 Years.- 26 Tumors of the Chest Wall.- 21 Congenital Malformations of the Lung.- 28 Staging of Lung Carcinoma.- 29 The Choice of Procedure in the Surgical Treatment of Carcinoma of the Lung.- 30 Surgical Treatment of Carcinoma of the Lung.- 31 Superior Sulcus Carcinomas.- 32 Surgical Problems of the Trachea.- 33 Bronchial Adenoma.- 34 Benign Bronchopulmonary Tumors and Cysts.- 35 Surgical Treatment of Pulmonary Metastatic Tumors.- 36 Surgical Treatment of Hydatid Cysts of the Chest.- Section IV Esophagus, Diaphragm and Mediastinum.- 37 Diagnostic Procedures for Esophageal Disease.- 38 Congenital Anomalies of the Esophagus: Esophageal Atresia and Tracheoesophageal Fistula.- 39 Functional (Motor) Disorders of the Esophagus.- 40 Gastroesophageal Reflux.- 41 Peptic Esophageal Stricture.- 42 Trauma of the Esophagus.- 43 Operative Treatment of Achalasia.- 44 Surgery for Achalasia - How I Do It.- 45 Benign Tumors and Cysts of the Esophagus.- 46 Surgical Treatment of Carcinoma of the Esophagus.- 47 Surgical Treatment of Carcinoma of the Upper Esophagus.- 48 Esophageal Anastomotic Techniques.- I. Anastomotic Suturing Technique in Esophageal Replacement.- II. Esophagus: Anastomotic Technique (200 Anastomoses with Stapler).- III. Esophageal Anastomotic Technique.- IV. The Esophagogastric Anastomosis.- V. Technique of Esophagogastrostomy.- 49 Diaphragmatic Hernia.- 50 Primary Mediastinal Tumors and Cysts.- 51 Thymectomy for Myasthenia Gravis.- Section V Surgery of Congenital Heart Diseases.- 52 Extracorporeal Perfusion in Infants.- 53 Management of Ventricular Septal Defect in Infants.- 54 Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot.- 55 Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot in Infancy.- 56 Indications, Operative Technique and Postoperative Management in Total Correction of Tetralogy of Fallot.- 57 Surgical Treatment of Tetralogy of Fallot in Children and Adolescents.- 58 Double Outlet Right Ventricle.- 59 Univentricular Heart.- 60 Modified Fontan Operation for Univentricular Heart.- 61 Tricuspid Atresia Treated without Valves.- 62 Endocardial Cushion Defects.- 63 Surgical Treatment of Atrioventricular Canal Defects.- 64 Complete Atrioventricular Canal.- 65 Truncus Arteriosus.- 66 Useof Valved Conduits to Repair Complex Congenital Heart Defects.- 67 Left Ventricular-Aortic Valved Conduit for Obstructed Left Ventricular Outlet.- 68 Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Drainage.- 69 Mustard Operation for Transposition of the Great Arteries.- 70 Senning Operation for Transposition of Great Arteries.- 71 Arterial Repair of Transposition.- 72 Coarctation of the Aorta in Infancy.- 73 Interrupted Aortic Arch and Ventricular Septal Defect.- 74 Operative Technique and Results of Repair of Ebstein's Anomaly.- 75 Surgical Treatment of Ebstein's Anomaly.- 76 Pulmonary Atresia with Intact Ventricular Septum.- 11 Ruptured Aneurysm of Sinus of Valsalva.- Section VI Surgery of Acquired Heart Diseases.- 78 Surgery for Repair or Replacement of Cardiac Valves.- 79 Management of Valvular Surgery.- 80 Starr-Edwards Prostheses: Past to Present.- 81 Comparative Study of Prosthetic Valve Design.- 82 The Aortic Homograft Valve: Its Use as a Valve Substitute.- 83 Dura Mater Valve.- 84 The Surgical Treatment of Constrictive Fibrous Endocarditis.- Section VII Surgery of Coronary Artery Diseases.- 85 Anatomical Considerations in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.- 86 Evaluation of Risks in Patients with Stable Angina.- 87 The Evaluation of the Risk in Patients with Unstable Angina.- 88 Changes in Tactics in Coronary Surgery.- 89 Technical Approaches in Coronary Artery Surgery.- 90 Sequential Aortocoronary Bypass Grafts in the Revascularisation of the Ischaemic Heart.- 91 Myocardial Protection in Coronary Artery Surgery.- 92 The Surgical Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction.- 93 Surgery for Complications of Myocardial Infarction.- 94 Coronary Revascularization with the Internal Mammary Artery.- 95 Reoperation for Coronary Artery Disease.- 96 Combined Surgery in Coronary Patients.-97 Surgical Treatment of Coronary Spasm.- 98 Use of the Artificial Pancreas in Diabetic Coronary Patients.- 99 Cardiac Pacing.- 100 Surgical Treatment of Medically-Refractory Cardiac Arrhythmias.- 101 Surgical Treatment of Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome.- 102 Staged Cardiac Transplantation.- Section VIII Surgery of Major Intrathoracic Blood Vessels.- 103 Aneurysm of the Thoracic Aorta.- 104 Dissecting Aneurysms of the Aorta.- 105 Congenital Aneurysm of the Isthmus Segment of the Thoracic Aorta.- 106 Coarctation of the Aorta.- 107 Surgical Treatment of Aortic Arch Aneurysms.- 108 Reconstruction of the Aortic Arch for Aneurysm.- 109 Prevention of Paraplegia Secondary to Operations on the Thoracic Aorta.- 110 Surgery of the Arch Vessels.- 111 Sapheno-Jugular Bypass for Superior Vena Cava Obstruction.