Surgical Recall

Rating:
Summary: Best of its series
Review: Although i don't like (Recall Series) much, but i've changed my idea after i used this book!! As 5th medical student, i highly recommend this book to be used in your surgery rotation. Together with (NMS Surgery), you will be smart..:)

Rating:
Summary: The Holy Grail of Surgery Books for the Med Student
Review: How could anyone not like a book where the author's first and last names rhyme? This is an incredible book, easily the best in the Recall series, and could very well be the most useful book I have ever read on any topic. No filler, boring anecdotes, or pointless stories of some author trying to impress you with how cool he/she is, just plain facts. This book was ideal for the oral exam at the end of my rotation. Unless you have large amounts of time to study during your surgical rotation (snicker), DO NOT buy any other text. For the love of all things sane, DO NOT read the Lawrence book. Too wordy, and doesn't have nearly as much info. as Surgical Recall. It is the greatest book. I'm just disappointed they haven't made Neurosurgery Recall yet...

Rating:
Summary: Great if you're getting pimped at rounds, but....
Review: Surgical Recall is great for those "pimp" questions at rounds and actually not bad for oral and written exams. However, to truly get the most out of a surgery rotation (even if you're not a surgical hopeful), you should read a unified text rather than a handbook of tidbits and pearls. That said, make sure you get this book because the authors knows how to zero you in on the important HIGHLIGHTS. Fill in the blanks with a great text (Not Lawerance! I used Sabiston and the baby Sabiston) and you'll shine.

Rating:
Summary: great for surgery rotation!
Review: Surgical Recall is the book, I saw first when i was just buying some surgery books on a book store. I studied a few pages, and found it very easy to understand. It is really a good book, especially if you just want to have a quick review before exams.Now it is very exciting that about 50 of my classfellows are using this book.I would suggest to study a text book before using this book.

Rating:
Summary: Good for rounds, need extra for the shelf exam!
Review: The one thing that other reviews fail to mention - don't buy the 3rd edition (2002) unless someone else is paying for it - like the military. The 2nd edition (1998) can be found at places like half.com and used through Amazon at less than $10 including shipping. The differences between the 2 editions is minimal - so many of these medical books are only updated to ensure higher sales - students are always worried that they are buying out of date information and so will pay the extra.

Rating:
Summary: The best single source of info you'll find on any clerkship
Review: They'll tell you that you need to read a surgery textbook in addition to Recall, but I (who am generally a reader) found that to be flat out untrue. I was skeptical of Recall, but I am a convert. I checked out Lawrence, Sabiston, and NMS, and found them all to be too 'wordy'. When you only have a few minutes to spare here and there, you don't want to waste precious reading time on pretty prose, you need the facts, unadorned. That's what Recall will give you. I really meant to be good and read an actual text, but ran out of time. So I can tell you from experience that if you know Surgical Recall well, it will be enough (with a little sleep the night before) to kick butt on the NBME shelf exam, or whatever exam y'all use. Reduce the pain (and expense) of your surgery rotation -- buy this book. It's all you really need.

Rating:
Summary: Must Have Book!
Review: This book is awesome. It is clear and concise and covers about every need to know tidbit for a student doing surgery. I can all but assure you that you will be asked some of the very same questions worded the EXACT same way by your attendings and residents. Everyone gets it and everyone carries it like a bible for the 6-12+weeks you are on surgery. Covers all subspecialties as well. Perfect for the clerkship. However, do not use it as your only source for the Shelf exam as there is quite a bit of general medicine and management not covered in recall.

Rating:
Summary: Great for third year surgery clerkship
Review: This book is light enough to carry with you in your white coat, and not too burdensome in terms of details. As with all Recall books this is written in question and answer format which works better for some people than for others. If you are interested in going into surgery, or feel that you like to have massive quantities of relevant knowledge at hand at all times during your rotations I would recommend instead the Mount Reid handbook which is packed with much more information and has a better index all for about the same weight. But for those students who wish to just learn the basics necessary to do well in surgery this book works well and highlights all of the essential information needed on the wards and in the shelf exam.

Rating:
Summary: Great for third year surgery clerkship
Review: This book is light enough to carry with you in your white coat, and not too burdensome in terms of details. As with all Recall books this is written in question and answer format which works better for some people than for others. If you are interested in going into surgery, or feel that you like to have massive quantities of relevant knowledge at hand at all times during your rotations I would recommend instead the Mount Reid handbook which is packed with much more information and has a better index all for about the same weight. But for those students who wish to just learn the basics necessary to do well in surgery this book works well and highlights all of the essential information needed on the wards and in the shelf exam.

Rating:
Summary: A GREAT LITTLE REVIEW BOOK ON CLERKSHIPS
Review: This book was a great resource for 3rd year medical school clerkships. Every single pimp question I received from my attending came right out of this book. I was amazed! A lot of times I would only find out about a case I was scrubbing into 5 minutes before going in, so this book came in handy for cramming in last minute questions relevant to the case. I probably wouldn't use it for the shelf by itself, but keep it handy during your surgery rotation and you will shine!