The 28th edition of Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery continues to provide the essential knowledge required for surgical training. It remains a familiar friend, venerated by generations of medical students as well as surgeons, both young and old, as a rite of passage and a repository of the core learning needed for safe surgical practice.

Key features
Relevant – the content matches both undergraduate and postgraduate curricula
Readable – features summary boxes of key knowledge throughout the text. The consistent layout and style of tables, graphics and diagrams aids easy understanding of complex concepts. Also includes algorithms to assist the reader in understanding patient care pathways
Current – highlights where major developments in surgical practice have occurred or are likely to transform surgical practice in the next decade
Contemporary – includes expanded coverage of paediatric surgery and transplant surgery. Emphasises the importance of the multidisciplinary team approach, together with patient engagement in difficult decision making
Authoritative – every chapter has been revised by expert authors, and the most up-to-date content is included in a familiar format
Digital resources – readers can access extra content via the dedicated Bailey & Love website, which includes questions and answers, expanded content, videos and more.

The basic principles of careful history taking, observation, deductive reasoning, technical knowledge and postoperative patient care remain the cornerstones of safe clinical practice. Set out in the first edition of Bailey & Love’s Short Practice of Surgery in 1932, these principles have been refined over nearly a century. Throughout the 28 editions, this key text has been the leading surgical resource and first point of reference for medical students and surgeons in training and in practice worldwide.