Best General Surgery Books of 2026

When Breath Becomes Air is an inspiring memoir about a young neurosurgeon's journey through life, death, and everything in between. Paul Kalanithi's diagnosis with stage IV lung cancer forced him to confront his own mortality, transforming him from a doctor to a patient and new father. Kalanithi wrestles with questions about the meaning of life, the value of human identity, and the importance of nurturing new life as another fades away. This profoundly moving and exquisitely observed memoir is a guide and a gift to us all. It is a unique and unforgettable read that will stay with you long after you finish the last page.

The Surgical Recall (Lippincott Connect) is an exceptional resource for medical students and professionals seeking to master the fundamentals of general surgery and surgical subspecialties. With its rapid-fire question-and-answer format, mnemonics, acronyms, tips, and hints, the book provides accurate, on-the-spot answers to the most likely questions encountered during rotations and on the shelf exam. The book also offers hundreds of practice advice, tricks of the trade, and a strategic two-column format that prepares students for active participation in the operating room. The enhanced 9th edition includes the latest advances in key areas, additional Rapid-Fire Review questions, and new Rapid-Fire Vignettes to prepare students for success on exams and beyond. Overall, the book is an indispensable tool that builds confidence and prepares students for success on exams and in the operating suite.

The Vitamins & Minerals (Quick Study Health) guide is an updated and expanded version that covers everything you need to know for maintaining good long-term health. It includes a table format listing every important vitamin and mineral, their recommended amounts, and the various disorders they can be used for. The guide also includes information on types of food containing specific vitamins and minerals. This book is a must-have for anyone looking to improve their health through proper nutrition. The format is easy to navigate and the information is presented in a clear and concise manner.

Dr. Pestana's Surgery Notes, Seventh Edition, is a concise yet comprehensive review of core surgery material designed for medical students preparing for the shelf and the USMLE Step 2 CK exams. It includes 180 up-to-date vignettes for self-testing and 16 brief essays examining diagnostic and therapeutic tools from a surgical perspective. The book is authored by Dr. Carlos Pestana, an emeritus professor of surgery at the University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio, who has received over 40 teaching awards and prizes for teaching excellence. Highly recommended for medical students seeking a portable and practical review of surgery material.

This latest edition of Preoperative Assessment and Management is a concise and comprehensive guide for healthcare professionals who perform preoperative assessments on patients. It covers the evaluation of patients with various disorders, medication administration, and more. The latest edition contains new chapters addressing the evaluation of acutely ill, obese, geriatric, and sleep apnea patients, as well as business logistics. The ebook now features ultrasound clips, highlighting the emerging diagnostic use of this technology in preoperative assessments. This book is ideal for anesthesiologists, residents in anesthesiology, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, hospitalists, and surgeons. Overall, it is a valuable resource that provides fast and efficient answers on preoperative assessments.

As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised as a Girl is a gripping and heart-wrenching true story of medical arrogance, misguided science, and one man's triumph over adversity. John Colapinto tells the story of David Reimer, who, after a botched circumcision, was raised as a girl. The book explores the nature/nurture debate and the thirty-year feud between Dr. John Money and Dr. Milton Diamond, which ultimately brought the truth to light. The book is a must-read for those interested in medical ethics, gender identity, and human resilience.

This fifth edition of the Med Surg Certification Review Book by Test Prep Books is a comprehensive study guide for test takers aiming to achieve a high score on the Med Surg exam. The book includes test-taking strategies, a breakdown of the test content, practice questions, and answer explanations. Each section of the test has a comprehensive review, and the practice questions are as close as possible to the actual exam. The answer explanations help the reader learn from their mistakes. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for those preparing for the Med Surg exam.

The Manual of Perioperative Care in Adult Cardiac Surgery by Robert M. Bojar is a valuable resource for anyone involved in the care of the cardiac surgery patient. This sixth edition provides a comprehensive and detailed review of cardiac surgical disease and perioperative management, including the latest concepts, guidelines, protocols, and medications used in cardiac surgical practice. The book's pragmatic features, such as its outline format and comprehensive index, make it an accessible and useful reference for clinicians worldwide. Overall, this book is an essential guide for cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, residents, fellows, nurses, perfusionists, and medical students.

Current Surgical Therapy, 14th Edition, is an authoritative and concise resource for general surgery residents and practitioners. The book covers virtually every problem a general surgeon may encounter, providing practical advice on selecting and implementing current surgical approaches from preeminent general surgeons. The book also integrates minimally invasive surgical techniques, basic science, and critical care aspects of surgical practice throughout. With more than 2,000 illustrations and eight all-new surgical videos, this edition offers thorough and updated information on the most in-demand topics. Overall, this is an essential reference for everyday clinical practice and an excellent resource for board study.

Surgery: A Case Based Clinical Review, published by Springer, is an outstanding resource for medical students preparing for surgical examinations and clinical rotations. This book combines multiple teaching formats, including a case-based approach, short questions and answers, and an easy-to-understand language, providing a comprehensive understanding of surgical diseases. The second edition includes new chapters and updated content, making it an excellent, up-to-date book for medical students, interns, physician assistant students, nursing students, and nurse practitioner students. The book is highly recommended for those entering the specialty of surgery and seeking a detailed, comprehensive overview of all surgical topics.