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 Although there are many fine texts and atlases of
microsurgery, the rapid advances in the field make it difficult for authors and
publishers to update books and chapters with the most current information.
The comprehensive nature of these works makes them physically quite large
and difficult to transport along with loupes, a camera and whatever else the
modern surgeon, resident or medical student takes to and from the hospital and
operating room. And for the medical student, a single rotation does not
justify the purchase of an expensive text if the current library copy is on loan.
Our goal with this project was to try to remedy these inconveniences and
provide a current text and atlas that can be updated quickly and be accessible
from any location where Internet access is available.
At our institution, like many others, the Internet is available even in
the operating room.
We have chosen to publish the Atlas online although
it is not yet completed. The nature of the Internet will allow us to
continually update, improve and add to the Atlas, and in this respect it will
never be a finished product. The Online Atlas will always be 'Under
Construction'. It will continue to grow and be updated as we add chapters,
elaborate on text or figures, and correct any errors. Waiting to finish in
the traditional textbook sense would mean that we would never publish online.
We have accumulated a significant inventory of text and figures and have decided
to make this currently available.
We are hopeful that we will get feedback from
readers so we can improve and update our text and
diagrams. Submissions from the plastic,
hand and reconstructive microsurgery community are welcome. We anticipate the speed
and reach of the Internet will help us with our goals.
Rudy Buntic
Darrell Brooks
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