The Atlas of Hand Anatomy and Clinical Implications, by Han-Liang
Yu, MD, Robert A. Chase, MD, and Berish Strauch, MD, is an unusual kind of
anatomy book. It is the fourth major anatomic atlas of hand surgery written by
Professor Chase, and it imparts a different view of a subject that is both
fascinating to and revered by Drs. Yu and Strauch. The authors state,
"The anatomy hasn't changed... but the way you approach it
has!"
This atlas starts with anatomy and ends with surgical technique, rather
than the other way around. In comparison to Hoppenfeld and deBoer's
Surgical Exposures in Orthopaedics: The Anatomic Approach, the
orientation of this book is more toward basic anatomy. Anatomic
concepts—from the fingernail and sensory organelles to the rotator cuff
and the brachial plexus—are covered in considerable detail. The atlas is
divided into six units: five standard units, including skin envelope, bone and
joint structures, musculotendinous system, vascular system, and nervous
system, and a sixth unit on cross-sectional anatomy. The book contains more
than one thousand full-color drawings by the same artist, the very gifted
Li-Guo Liang, who through his artistic talent has imparted a sense of
translucency to the illustrations and a binding uniformity to the atlas.
The section on terminology is worthy of review even by the experienced
surgeon. The section calling for a standardized nomenclature for the motions
of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb is particularly cogent. The sections
on surface anatomy and integument, planning incisions, and methods for
extending wounds are nicely explained, as are the principles of flap design,
nail anatomy, and the treatment of nail-bed injuries. Function as it relates
to specific anatomic structures is beautifully illustrated in the unit on the
musculotendinous system, in which the authors recognize Paul Brand's concepts
of biomechanics in the concise text and tables adapted from his work. There
are nice illustrations of the mechanisms of closed brachial plexus injuries,
compartment syndrome, and intrinsic deformities of digits. Common anatomic
variations and anatomic differences in the immature skeleton are also
included. Extensive reference lists conclude each unit.
The authors detail selective surgical approaches for which the implications
of anatomic familiarity are critical. These surgical pearls are not covered
with equal detail in all areas, and if there is a weakness to this atlas, it
is that more surgical approaches are not covered.
The book is attractive and is a nice size to carry into the operating room.
The binding and cover appear to be quite durable. This is a book that should
find a welcome home in the inquisitive hand surgeon's library. The publisher's
list price of $239.00, although high, is in line with similar offerings,
especially when the excellent quality of the illustrations is taken into
consideration. This atlas should merit at least "wish-list" status
for students of hand anatomy.