Perioperative Management

Although evidenced-based medicine has been in use for over a century, the abundance of literature available has exploded in the last two decades. Construction of large databases, Internet availability, and electronic printing have made more information accessible. Keeping up with the literature is a daunting task. A 2004 article estimated that it would take a practicing physician 627.5 hours per month to read the 7,287 articles that were published monthly in their field.[1] Obviously, this is not possible. The challenge is to keep up with the wealth of information, process that information, and determine best practice for patients, all while continuing to practice clinical surgery.

This volume of Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery is an attempt to assist practicing colorectal surgeons in sorting through the vast quantity of information and determine best practices for their patients. Contributors have searched the literature, and consolidated and digested information to create a comprehensive review of perioperative care for the colorectal patient. They attempted to include the most important, controversial, and relevant topics in perioperative care, from the use of enhanced recovery protocols, the evidence for bowel preparation, the latest in perioperative pain control, and a review of the data for perioperative steroids.

I am grateful to the authors for the time, work, and dedication to the project, as well as to Dr. David Beck for the opportunity to edit this edition of Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery. I hope that you will find it a useful guide in caring for your patients.

• Reference

• 1 Alper BS, Hand JA, Elliot SG , et al. How much effort is needed to keep up with the literture relevant for primary care. J Med Libr Assoc 2004; 92 (4) 429-437