Dr. Rajendra Nagarkatti is a M.D., F.C.P.S., D.G.O., D.F.P., Passed MBBS and MD from Seth G S Medical College and KEM Hospital. Gold Medalist at the DFP Examination and 2nd Rank holder at the DGO Examination. Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and Sion Hospital 1988–1990, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Ashirwad Maternity and General Hospital, Mira Bhayandar. Hon Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road, IVF Consultant, Profert IVF Centre, Kandivilli. Vice President-AFG (Association of Fellow Gynecologists). Member of Managing Council-Mumbai Obstetric and Gynecological Society (MOGS).
The book ‘‘Principles and Practice of Obstetrics & Gynecology for Postgraduates’’ Fourth Edition, by FOGSI, edited by Dr. Narendra Malhotra, Dr. P. K. Shah and Dr. Hema Divakar with Dr. Saroj Singh and Dr. Jaideep Malhotra as co-editors, is an excellent compilation of topics covering every aspect of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
The book has a good hardbound cover with informative pictures of the fetus, the laparoscopic view of the uterus and fallopian tubes and a color Doppler picture making it an interesting reading. The paper is of exceptionally good quality with a good font size making it easy to read.
The topics have been well spaced out with the first section on pre-pregnancy care which mainly covers the preventive and social aspects of maternity care. The Chapter No. 5 which is on maternal exercises, yoga and dance therapy by Dr. Maninder Ahuja is particularly interesting and addresses a topic not much covered hitherto.
The second section is on medical disorders in pregnancy and covers the entire gamut of medical disorders associated with pregnancy. In the section on malaria in pregnancy, which is quite rampant in India, I feel some more information could be given on the newer drugs in antimalarial treatment and their use and safety in pregnancy. And with the dengue epidemics and high associated maternal mortality, maybe a chapter on dengue in pregnancy would be worthwhile. The chapter on thrombophilia in pregnancy is well elaborated and would be a useful guide in management of patients with recurrent abortions.
In the Section ‘‘Fetus as a patient,’’ the topics have been well covered including a section on fetal therapy. Also the chapter on fetal echocardiography is a good addition considering the rise in the number of cases of congenital heart diseases.
The section No 5 and 6 on intrapartum management and postpartum conditions are well covered. Particularly appreciable are the chapters ‘‘Modern Management of Breech presentation,’’ ‘‘Postpartum Psychiatric disorders’’ and ‘‘Postpartum exercises.’’ Also useful is the section No 6 on emergency in pregnancy which covers critical care in obstetrics and stresses the need for an obstetric ICU.
Then comes the section on general gynecology, endocrinology, oncology and endoscopy with amiscellaneous section covering genetics and also audit in obstetrics and gynecology by Dr. Suchitra Pandit and medicolegal deficiencies in gynecological practice by Dr. Sanjay Gupte which make interesting reading. Particularly interesting in this section for the postgraduates would be the Chapters on ‘‘How to answer Questions in Theory and Viva in Post Graduate Examination,’’ ‘‘How to write a Paper for publication’’ and ‘‘How to be a good Doctor: Ethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology.’’ Also it is good to note that the Editors have also added a Chapter on ‘‘FOGSI as aBrand forWomen’sHealth.’’
So I would say it is an excellent compilation of topics covering the entire field of obstetrics, gynecology, endoscopy, gynec-endocrinology and preventive medicine. Kudos to the contributors for their lucid and flowing language and to the Editors for packing in maximum content possible at the same time making it interesting and informative. Overall a treat for the postgraduate and a must in their armamentarium toward better understanding of obstetrics and gynecology!
Compliance with ethical standards
Conflict of interest None.
