With this book, Dr. Muhammed Khalid Syed targets a niche audience: those preparing to take pediatric surgical exams. “I realised there is a shortage of MCQ (multiple-choice question) books that provide specific, in-depth knowledge of paediatric surgery,” he writes in his Preface. “To fulfill the needs of candidates, I decided to write a MCQ book that contains such core knowledge.”
According to the back cover, Syed is a “consultant Paediatric Surgeon, in King Fahad Hospital, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia. He is also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and many other professional groups.
The book offers 66 questions about pediatric surgery, covering a range of topics, including: development dysplasia of the hip, burns, oncology, spina bifida, ovarian lesions, acute appendicitis and much more. The questions are simple and direct: for example, “The commonest worm that causes intestinal obstruction is: A. Tapeworm/ B. Roundworm/ C. Flukes/ D. Hookworm/ E. Pinworm.” Or: “Longterm problems after repair of diaphragmatic hernia include all except: A. Gastroesphogeal reflux./ B. Failure to thrive./ C. Hyperinflation of lung./ D. Respiratory insufficiency./ E. Recurrence.” Answers are listed at the back of the book.
The prose is written with British-style spellings that may be jarring to American readers, and the language is sometimes overly truncated. For example: “Hepatic fibrosis stops once achievement of good biliary drainage.” (This would read smoother as “Hepatic fibrosis stops once the surgeon has achieved good biliary drainage.”) Grammar problems also appear occasionally. (“Complication of short bowel syndrome include all except…) An index would also be helpful.
Such minor issues aside, this is a simple way for readers to pinpoint where their knowledge deficiencies exist and would provide helpful test prep for pediatric surgical exams. The book will also be useful in preparing for other examinations that include pediatric issues.
The audience for this book is limited, but appropriate readers will find this a useful resource.
Also available in hardcover and ebook.
