This book reflects a broad spectrum of current opinions and progress in the surgical management of liver, pancreatic and biliary disease. The enormous advances in diagnostic imaging techniques and in interven­ tional, radiological and biliary approaches, the pathophysiological problems and their management manifest often as complications in the post-operative period, new techniques and the results of surgical approaches are all thorough­ ly documented. Historical background is commented upon by Dr. Kenneth Warren of Boston in the first chapter. Subsequent chapters deal with a variety of subjects but always emphasizing differences of opinion and approach and maintaining the discussive environment so typical to the present-day approach to the topic. Professor Bengmark's efforts to introduce a forum for wide discussion for diseases of the liver, pancreas and biliary tract and many recent advances in research and technology to aspects of the clinical management and outcome of patients is well rewarded in this balanced publication. Advances in this field of surgery have been and continue to be so rapid that such documentation is not only necessary but very welcome.

1. Fifty years of surgery of the liver, pancreas and biliary tract.- 2. Radiology in hepato-pancreatico-biliary disease.- 3. Endoscopic approach to management of hepatico-pancreatico-biliary disorders.- 4. Bleeding problems in hepato-biliary patients.- 5. Septic problems in hepato-pancreatico-biliary surgery.- 6. Abdominal drains in surgery of the liver, pancreas and biliary system.- 7. Trauma to the liver, pancreas and porta hepatis: aggressive and conservative management.- 8. Does ultrasound dissector improve the quality of hepato-pan-creatico-biliary surgery?.- 9. Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy: rationale, results and debits.- 10. Primary cancer of the liver: considerations about resection.- 11. Liver resection for colorectal metastases: who, when and to what extent?.- 12. Surgical management in high bile duct tumours.- 13. Continuing problems in management of benign bile duct stricture.- 14. Pancreatic pseudocysts.- 15. Surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis.- 16. Surgical management of pancreatic cancer.- 17. Identification and treatment of common bile duct stones before cholecystectomy.- 18. Does preoperative trans-hepatic biliary decompression improve surgical results?.- 19. Problems in surgery of cirrhotic patients.- 20. Selective and total shunts in portal hypertension - facts and myths.- 21. Use of BCAA enriched nutritional regimens in hepatic failure and sepsis - facts or fancy.- 22. Pancreas transplantation.- 23. Transplantation of hepatic segments.- 24. Pancreatic islet transplantation.- 25. Hepatic dearterialization in hepatic tumours.- 26. Developments in HPB nursing.