Pradnya Changede is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital. She has passed her M.S. (OBGY) from the prestigious Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital. She has worked as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital. She is a MUHS-recognized postgraduate and undergraduate teacher for last 9 years. At present, she is working as Assistant Secretary, Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India. She is a active member of youth council of Mumbai Obstetrics and Gynecology Society. Her fields of interests are high-risk obstetrics and laparoscopy.
A basic textbook of gynecology comprising of up-to-date and reliable information in accordance with accepted standards which covers anatomy, physiology, clinical skills, diagnosis and management of gynecological diseases for students is the need of the hour. The ‘‘Textbook of Gynecology’’ by Dr. J B Sharma is a comprehensive textbook which imparts basic knowledge and teaches practical, operative and clinical skills to its readers. This book has a good cover and is printed on goodquality paper. It has a good font size for easy reading. As one flips through pages of this book one comes across a very detailed index to find relevant topics of interest. The book is divided into ten sections and thirty-five chapters. There is a smooth progression from one section to other. The chapters in each section are grouped intelligently. At the end of each chapter, summary and key points are mentioned for quick reading during examination. It is also useful for students to solve MCQs asked in various entrance examinations. The language used in writing the text is lucid and easy to interpret. The textbook contains many good-quality clinical and operative photographs, figures, tables, charts, diagrams, high-resolution images of HSG, USG and MRI for better understanding of a particular topic.
Guidelines of prestigious international bodies such as WHO, ACOG, RCOG, Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India, ICMR, FOGSI, FDA, ICOG and CDC are quoted for providing readers with upto- date information. For readers who desire to have more detailed knowledge of a particular topic, suggested reading and references are mentioned at the end of every chapter. Questions asked in various examinations are mentioned at the end of every chapter. The questions are marked as very important and important to help students score better marks in examinations. Various standard textbooks have been consulted by the author to cover all relevant information about a topic in a nutshell.
The concept of evidence-based medicine is introduced in the first chapter and is used throughout the textbook. The first chapter explains applied anatomy and important milestones in the development of gynecology. High-quality HSG, MRI, USG and laparoscopic images of mullerian anomalies deserve a special mention. Special emphasis is given to chapter on menopause highlighting current recommendations of HRT. The chapter on hormones explains in a concise manner all important hormones including SPRMs and SERMs.
In the chapter on infertility high-quality images of laparoscopy and hysteroscopy are self-explanatory. Actual photographs of various contraceptives in use will help students in easy identification in examinations. Chapters on MTP and sexual assault are well emphasized due to their medicolegal importance. The author has quoted CDC guidelines for management of STIs and RTIs.
The illustrations and figures in the chapter on prolapse are colorful and narrative. Sling surgeries and various mesh surgeries are explained in detail. Recent advances in the management of fibroid, such as MRGFUS and MR-HIFU, deserve special mention. The author has compiled photomicrographs of various Pap smears which are frequently kept as spots for identification in examinations. In the section on gynec-oncology special topics of chemotherapy and radiotherapy are well written by experts in respective fields. Minimally invasive surgeries along with instrumentation are well described. The topic of robotic surgery is introduced to the readers.
This book has a special section to help students prepare for their examinations. There is a chapter dedicated to sample papers, practical cases and marks distribution of various examinations. Instruments, sutures, spots, drugs and HSG are explained in an easy-to-remember format. This book is essentially written for M.B.B.S students, but can also be useful for postgraduate students, general practitioners, students of midwifery, homeopathy, Ayurveda and consultants desiring a quick review of a particular topic.
It does not surprise me that this book has taken 5 years to complete. It is truly an exhaustive, all-encompassing textbook of gynecology giving overall a good learning experience.
Conflict of interest I hereby declare that I have no conflict of interest in writing this book review.
