Over the years orthopaedic trauma has evolved to become an important subspecialty of orthopaedic surgery. An important component of the effective management of musculoskeletal injuries is the successful reconstruction of fractures. The art of surgery involves many steps, with ever-evolving techniques and implants.

Many textbooks are available for orthopaedic traumatologists. However, most of them are either handouts for scrub monkeys or advanced textbooks for experts. We have felt that the young orthopaedic surgeon on call is in need of an easy guide to help him or her set up a case until the attending surgeon is available. Moreover, standards for patient positioning are frequently absent and can be hard to understand unless they are well illustrated. Each chapter follows a comprehensive step-by-step approach which describes the hazards of surgery and gives technical tips in order to provide an overview of surgical procedures.

We do hope that this second edition has improved ontheirst, and that thebookwill continue tobeaworthy companion for the young surgeon on call.