Anaesthesia 2014, 69, e1–e2 and up-to-date, not to mention being eye catching and easy to read.
D. J. Quemby Torbay Hospital Torquay, UK Email:
[email protected] doi:10.1111/anae.12528 MCQs in Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Therapy (MasterPass)
H Sehmbi & U J Shah Radcliffe Publishing Ltd, 2012, ISBN: 978 1846199714, 384 pp., Price £ 45.00 MCQs in Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Therapy is designed to provide examination practice and knowledge for readers considering sitting the European Diploma in Regional Anaesthesia (EDRA) Part 1 (written), as well as those with an interest in expanding their knowledge base in regional anaesthesia or pain therapy. It is presented as nine chapters covering neuroanatomy and physiology, pharmacology of local anaesthetics, analgesics and adjuvants, equipment and physics, central neuraxial blocks, peripheral nerve blocks, regional anaesthesia in specific populations,
e2
Book Reviews pain therapy, complications in regional anaesthesia and statistics. Each chapter begins with a number of MCQs followed by an answer section. There is also an appendix with multiple tables of useful information for quick reference. The content of the text is wide and varied with an appropriate depth covered. There are numerous diagrams and tables that help cement and better explain the information to readers, while each answer is appropriately referenced. There is possibly some overlap between the written questions and those that have previously appeared in the EDRA, although any candidates hoping to use it to learn MCQ answers by rote or improve MCQ technique will be disappointed as the format of the MCQs is in a Best of Four format, rather than the Best of Five/Single Best Answer format in the EDRA examination or that more recent FRCA candidates are familiar with. This very significant shortfall makes the text less useful as an MCQ preparation aid, but does not eliminate the value of the content within the answers section. It is also well directed at the European approach to regional anaesthesia, with significant focus on eponymous blocks and non ultrasound-guided techniques.
The text contains some errors and inconsistencies, as most books of this nature do, however the grammar and use of English is poor, with innumerable spelling mistakes and inappropriate abbreviations. Questions are at times difficult to follow, while the diagrams would have been better presented had there been professional illustrator input. Overall, this text fills a vital niche in the market and currently seems to be regarded as the only MCQ book that candidates use before sitting the EDRA. It does have a much broader scope than this, however, as it provides invaluable information for anyone interested in learning about regional anaesthesia. The poor production and writing do not negate the depth of content provided to readers.
K. El-Boghdadly South East School of Anaesthesia London, UK Email:
[email protected] doi:10.1111/anae.12529
© 2013 The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland
