The aim of this book is to identify and shed new light on the main surgical practices involved in acute care and trauma surgery. Adopting an evidence-based approach, a multidisciplinary team of surgeons and intensivists illustrate basic and advanced operative techniques, accompanied by a comprehensive and updated reference collection. Emerging surgical procedures in Acute Care Surgery are also explored step by step with the help of ample illustrations.

Further, the book offers an overview of treatment options for acute organ failure, with a focus on peculiar clinical situations that call for special treatment, including: extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), circulatory support and urgent liver transplantation. In order to identify the key determinants in decision-making and therapeutic support that can help avoid critical errors, authors not only define and discuss specific surgical techniques, but also present major issues and controversies related to it.

In essence, the book can be considered a “What to do guide” that offers easy access to both basic and advanced lifesaving surgical procedures, due in part to text boxes highlighting “Tips, Tricks and Pitfalls” as well as advice on “Complications Management”. Many chapters are enriched by providing clinical case scenarios, an important educational resource including self–assessment questionnaires.