Wantz writes that the purpose of this atlas is to teach hernia surgery the way it is taught in the operating room—by visual demonstrations and precise instructions. The visual demonstrations are enhanced by the clear illustrations by Caspar Henselmann, and the instructions are succinct and informative. I believe Wantz has admirably achieved his purpose.
The atlas discusses the anatomy, etiology, and repair of abdominal wall hernias. Wantz includes only techniques that he regularly uses. When he speaks of the "preferred method," the reader should remember that this is the author's preferred method. An excellent bibliography is included at the end of each chapter.
In the chapter on the anatomy, the author emphasizes that direct, indirect, and femoral hernias are not separate entities, but all begin as a weak area in the myopectineal orifice of Fruchaud, and can be eliminated either by repairing this orifice or substituting a prosthesis for the