The pelvis is one of the most complex areas in the human body. It involves vascular, nerve, lymphatic as well as urologic, gynecologic, and GI struc­tures. Over the years, medicine has evolved to address each of these organ systems by discipline. However, any of us who has ever ventured surgically into the pelvis recognizes that one discipline can easily spill over into another. The book Major Complications of Female Pelvic Surgery: A Multi- Disciplinary Approach is edited by three international experts from different disciplines involving gynecology, urology, and colorectal surgery. They have combined their expertise and years of experience to focus on possible com­plications that might arise from pelvic surgery. One of the unique features of this book is the emphasis on anatomy and prevention of possible complica­tions. Each chapter is worth careful reading, since prevention is much easier than treatment of any given complication. The co-editors have assembled an adept panel of experts who focus on a multi-disciplinary approach to prevent potential complications, recognition of the complication if it occurs, and then a multi-disciplinary approach to ideal management of the situation. Frequently, different approaches to the management of a complication are presented to broaden the effectiveness of techniques that might be applied in any situation. I would imagine that this book will quickly become a reference guide for any surgeon who performs surgery in the pelvis.

As a Cancer Center Director and Surgical Oncologist, I have been a pro­ponent of a multi-disciplinary approach to oncologic care. The entire premise of this book is to provide expert opinions from different disciplines to provide ideal advice for prevention, recognition, and management of possible compli­cations. This book will become a “must read” for anyone who endeavors to take on the challenge of a complex pelvic surgery. The patient who requires surgical intervention in the pelvis will be the ultimate beneciary of this publication.

The Alvin J.Siteman Cancer Center At Barnes-Jewish Hospital Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis,MO,USA

The editors of this book have a long-term friendship that started with our mutual interests in, and shared struggles with, pelvic surgery. Our specialties are different (gynecology, urology, colorectal surgery), but we have consis­tently encountered many of the same challenges when operating in the female pelvis. An unfortunate but very signicant part of these shared experiences are the major complications that occur in association with pelvic surgery. As our careers have progressed, we have noted a transdisciplinary comradery among pelvic surgeons regarding the ever-present, looming potential for the serious morbidity that may occur in association with the operations we per­form. Our days in the operating room are generally rewarding, sometimes stressful, and very occasionally unsuccessful.

We try our best and help women, but complications do occur…never intentionally and most often unavoidably. Complications of surgery and the resulting suffering that the patient experiences stay with us. They haunt us during surgery and in the middle of the night.

Being a surgeon carries with it great responsibilities to our patients. They trust that we know what we are doing and will always do our best. They deserve nothing less.

Tampa, FL, USA MitchelHoffman Cleveland, OH, USA TracyL.Hull New York, NY, USA BernardH.Bochner

Most surgeons have been the fortunate recipients of career mentorship. Mentors may themselves be surgeons or might have provided some other type of guidance. We often think of such people as those who had a signicant positive impact on us during our development as surgeons. However, ongoing mentorship supports professional growth throughout our careers. It is impos­sible to overstate the importance and profound inuence mentors have on our professional growth and development, as well as emotional health. We read­ily acknowledge a great debt and gratitude to all of our mentors, past and present. These individuals guided the editors and authors to gain the knowl­edge, experience, and judgement that went into the writing of this book. With this writing, we hope to pay it forward.

Eugenia Judson, Production Editor for this book, has been outstanding to work with. She has been responsive, patient, and diligent. We very much enjoyed working with Eugene and greatly appreciate all of her efforts that helped bring this book to fruition.

Margaret Moore, Senior Editor for Clinical Medicine at Springer, believed in the concept and importance of this book and was extremely supportive throughout the entire process. Margaret also gave us the leeway needed to adjust to unanticipated challenges with coverage of material, and this ulti­mately resulted in substantially improved content.

The publishers assigned a team of artists to this book. The outstanding quality of the illustrations done by this team was a very pleasant surprise. We had conceptualized basic black and white line drawings but the artists instead returned our crude examples and instructions with beautiful, meticulous, and accurate color illustrations. We are most appreciative of the artistic talent and dedication of this team. This appreciation also extends to the publishers for providing and supporting their services.

We are forever grateful for their patience, understanding, and forgiveness. We know that our lives, career, and indeed this book would not be possible if not for their never-ending support.