The ASCRS Textbook of Colon and Rectal Surgery

Abstract

The field of Colon and Rectal Surgery has a long and respected tradition of patient service, knowledge expansion, and education. The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) is the premier professional organization of this specialty. The leaders of our Society (ASCRS) recognized that there were several textbooks in the field of Colorectal Surgery, but none of which could be deemed as truly representative of the collective objec- tive views of the ASCRS. At the inaugural meeting of the senior and associate editors, prior to the 2007 publication of the ASCRS Textbook of Colon and Rectal Surgery 1st edition, the group made several fundamental decisions. One of those decisions was to have chapters extensively referenced, authoritatively written, appropriately illustrated, and as unbiased as possible. This very important latter point was strictly enforced by adherence by the chapter authors to ASCRS materials including the evidence-based ASCRS clinical practice guide- lines, core subjects, presentations at our annual meeting, questions in the colon and rectal self-assessment program (CARSEP), and material otherwise presented through official soci- ety vehicles. In addition, first edition chapters were, in general, written by a “junior” and a “senior” coauthor. A second decision was a rotation schedule for the editors: two to three of the editors would rotate off after each edition. This would provide wider participation and ensure that the text would represent the specialty as a whole and not a select group of individuals