Surgical patients are increasingly undergoing operative proceduresthat require complex post-operative care followed by prolongedrehabilitation in the community, and few leave surgery without awound, tube, line or drain. The care of these surgical adjuncts isundertaken either in hospital by ward staff or away from thehospital in the community, where GPs and practice nurses areexpected to take over the day-to-day management of this care. The ABC of Tubes, Drains, Lines and Frames is a practicalguide that provides a clear account of the key issues involved inthe assessment and management of surgical wounds, tubes, drains,lines and stomas – from the operating theatre to the CriticalCare unit and from the ward into the community. It highlightscommon pitfalls and includes ‘trouble shooting’sections that provide an understanding of the issues at all stagesof post-operative care. This new ABC is an invaluable resource for all GPs,practice nurses, surgical nurses, junior doctors, and communityparamedics.

本書は単なる医療技術書ではなく、手術室という極限から平穏な日常へ帰還する「生還の航路」を照らす羅針盤です。ブルックスらが描くのは、身体に繋がれた管や傷跡という「生への執着」を、専門知と慈愛で包み込む切実な物語。外科の冷徹な精度と地域ケアの温かな眼差しが交差する点に、本作の本質的な美しさが宿っています。 特筆すべきは、不測の事態に立ち向かう記述の行間に滲む、現場への深い共感です。単なる知識の集積を超え、患者の生を繋ぎ止めるという著者の魂の叫びが全編に脈打っています。肉体の脆さと生命の強靭さを同時に捉えたこの一冊は、命の現場に携わる者の使命感を焚き付け、明日への確かな勇気を与えてくれるでしょう。