A renewed interest for surgery of the large veins

The Editors of the book-text Latest frontiers of hemodynamic, imaging, treatment of obstructive venous disease have written a thorough current review of diagnosis and management of challenges associated with and emphasizing the large veins of the body.1 The twenty nine chapters cover a wide variety of subjects and the accompanying references offer the opportunity for further review and study. Accompanying graphic illustrations add additional information and clarification to the written material. The chapter titles allow rapid access to specific areas of interest in the venous system. Contributors are established physicians and surgeons with extensive experience in managing problems in the venous system including clinical research. That is a most timely contribution with increasing worldwide appreciation of the importance of the venous system in maintaining good health. William Harvey, an Englishman who had studied in Italy at Padua University with Fabricius where he earned his Doctor of Medicine in 1602 taught us about circulation in the Seventeenth Century emphasizing the important role of the venous system. His classic book MOTU CORDIS was published in 1628. Yet, and particularly in the Twentieth Century with the many exciting discoveries in treating problems associated with the arterial system, the venous system was ignored in great part as noted in the United States. This has changed in the past twenty five years with multiple new efforts through the American College of Phlebology and the American Venous Forum augmenting and complimenting similar well established activities in similar societies throughout the World.2 The Vietnam Vascular Registry established in 1966 at Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington, D. C. provided an early emphasis on the repair of large veins, particularly in the lower extremities, rather than the traditionally accepted ligation. Statistics of follow up support the absence of increased thrombophlebitis and of pulmonary embolism with long term patency assured have resulted in increased acceptance of this approach.3,4 A study published in 2017 Journal of Vascular Surgery Venous and Lymphatic Disorders from Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland draws attention to the perceived weakness in venous education in vascular surgery trainees in the United States.5 This book by Zamboni, Veroux, Lee, Setacci and Giaquinta will contribute immensely to educating the next generation of physicians and surgeons in the evaluation and treatment of venous disorders.