Book Reviews

Book Review

Comprehensive Gynecology Review,

4th Edition
By Frank W. Ling, Louis A. Vontver, Roger P. Smith, and Sharon T. Phelan
Mosby, St. Louis, 368 pages, $39.95, 2003

This fourth edition of Comprehensive Gynecology
Review is an appropriately sized softbound accompaniment
to the text, Comprehensive Gynecology. The authors use a
question-and-answer format to support information ade-
quately covered in the text. The substance of this review
book covers essentially all aspects of clinical gynecology
from basic science and anatomy and physiology to com-
plex challenges encountered by both generalists and
subspecialists.
The questions are well written and the structure con-
forms to a design frequently encountered on formal exam-
inations. Discussions are precise yet describe each topic
with sufficient depth. This format generally appeals to a
wide target audience; however, because of its small size and
simplicity, it may not provide sufficient information for
residents and physicians preparing for national boards.
Nonetheless, the authors did meet their goal by compiling
an affordable adjunct, which in and of itself would be ben-
eficial to medical students during clerkships and to midlevel
practitioners who otherwise may not use such a book.
This edition is well organized and reads easily. Ques-
tions occasionally refer to esoteric topics and may detract
from the book’s educational potential. Two examples are
the percentage of cervical deviations encountered with
severe endometriosis and “big-big” prolactin. We do not
believe these are clinically relevant issues in the context of
a review book. Furthermore, we found the discussions on
the use of danazol, an agent that has little use in practice,
to be excessive. Fallopian tube cancer, which is hardly a
common entity, is assigned an entire chapter. Perhaps more
attention could have been given to the work-up and treat-
ment of infertility. Sections on pediatric and adolescent
gynecology are well written.
Postmenopausal hormone replacement has received
intense critical review lately, and these updates should be
reflected more appropriately, especially with regard to car-
diovascular disease, venous thromboembolism, and malig-
nancy. Although an entire discussion on minimally invasive
surgical techniques may not be requisite, advances in the
fields of general gynecology and oncology warrant atten-
tion. Most illustrations and figures are well placed and add
to the text; however, a number of pathology slides are too
small or obscure to interpret.
In general, this book serves a relevant purpose and
enhances the ability to obtain knowledge provided by the
text. In the preface, the authors clearly state their objectives,
which they have indeed met. Alone, this complement may
not adequately provide information suitable for an advanced
and comprehensive review. Rather, it offers a quick update
for physicians and a fitting study guide for students.
Jonathon M. Solnik, M.D.
Joseph S. Sanfilippo, M.D.
Pittsburgh, PA

Reprinted from the JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF GYNECOLOGIC LAPAROSCOPISTS, November 2003, Vol. 10 No. 4
© 2003 The American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists. All rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced in any form or by any means without written permission from
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To order multiple reprints of an individual article or request authorization to make photocopies, please contact the AAGL.

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