The publication of Basics of Paediatric Surgery: A Textbook for Medical Students and Professionals, edited by Prof. Dr. Rameshwar Prasad Pokharel with co-editors Dr. Geha Raj Dahal and Dr. Dinesh Prasad Koirala, marks a significant contribution in Nepal's medical education and healthcare literature. More than a textbook, it is the culmination of nearly four decades of clinical practice, academic leadership and institution-building dedicated to advancing paediatric surgery in Nepal. It is a work that not only imparts scientific knowledge but also chronicles the evolution of an entire medical specialty in the country.
What distinguishes this volume from many conventional medical textbooks is the deeply personal story behind its creation. During the book's launch, Prof. Pokharel reflected on his own professional journey, explaining how an unexpected assignment early in his career ultimately shaped his life's mission. After graduating as a medical doctor in 1987, he aspired to work in surgery but instead found himself posted to a neonatal ward. Initially unfamiliar with neonatal medicine, he was guided by dedicated mentors who encouraged meticulous clinical observation and lifelong learning. Those formative experiences gradually nurtured his passion for paediatric surgery and laid the foundation for a distinguished career.
Prof. Pokharel's personal journey mirrors the development of paediatric surgery in Nepal itself. At a time when Nepal had only two practising paediatric surgeons serving nearly half of the country's 20 million population of children, the shortage of specialised care was stark. Determined to contribute to this neglected field, he pursued advanced training in Japan, where he completed specialised education and became the first Nepali doctor to earn a doctoral degree in paediatric surgery from a Japanese university. Upon returning to Nepal in 1997 as the country's fourth paediatric surgeon, he embarked on a mission not merely to practise but to build the specialty from the ground up.
The book is therefore as much about institution-building as it is about surgery. Prof. Pokharel recounts the persistent efforts required to establish Nepal's first Master of Chirurgiae (MCh) programme in Paediatric Surgery at the Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University. Overcoming administrative and infrastructural challenges, his team secured government support to construct specialised facilities, including a dedicated 40-bed paediatric surgery ward, thereby creating the physical and academic foundation necessary for postgraduate surgical training in Nepal. Today, MCh programmes are operating both at the Institute of Medicine and Kanti Children's Hospital, reflecting the long-term impact of these efforts.
While the story behind the book is inspiring, its academic contribution is equally significant. Basics of Paediatric Surgery fills a long-standing gap in Nepal's medical literature by offering what is believed to be the country's first comprehensive textbook devoted exclusively to paediatric surgery. Written with both local realities and international standards in mind, the book serves as an authoritative reference for undergraduate medical students, postgraduate trainees and practising healthcare professionals alike.
Paediatric body urges parties to prioritise child rights in ele...
One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its innovative organisation. Unlike traditional medical textbooks, which usually discuss diseases individually or according to organ systems alone, the editors have adopted a distinctive framework that classifies paediatric surgical diseases within each chapter into six broad categories: congenital and developmental disorders; infections and inflammatory conditions; trauma, injuries and accidents; cysts, tumours and cancers (both benign and malignant); environmental, hereditary and genetic disorders; and recent advances in treatment. This unique structure enables readers to analyse each disease from multiple clinical perspectives while promoting a logical and integrated understanding of paediatric surgery. It also reflects the way clinicians encounter patients in real-life practice, where diagnosis and management often require consideration of multiple underlying causes.
The editors have further strengthened the educational value of the book by maintaining a consistent format across all 18 sections. This systematic arrangement makes the text easy to navigate while encouraging students to develop a structured clinical approach to diagnosis and management. Rather than simply presenting facts, the book seeks to cultivate clinical reasoning—a quality that distinguishes excellent physicians from those who merely memorise information.
The textbook is intended for an exceptionally broad readership. It has been written primarily for undergraduate medical students as well as MS and MD residents in General Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Emergency Medicine, Urology, Plastic Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS), Orthopaedics, and MCh residents in Paediatric Surgery. Equally important, it serves as a practical guide for doctors, nurses and paramedics working in district hospitals and other resource-limited settings, helping them recognise paediatric surgical conditions, provide appropriate initial management and ensure timely referral of children requiring specialised care. This emphasis on practical applicability makes the book particularly relevant to healthcare systems like Nepal's, where specialised services remain concentrated in urban centres.
Another noteworthy feature is the editors' deliberate effort to make the textbook relevant beyond Nepal. Although grounded in decades of clinical experience within the Nepali healthcare system, the content has been prepared with international medical standards in mind, making it useful for readers in other countries as well. This balance between local experience and global relevance significantly enhances the book's value. Perhaps the most memorable chapter is the final one, titled "Patients as Excellent Teachers." In an age increasingly dominated by technology and digital learning, the editors remind readers that medicine is ultimately learned at the bedside. Every patient offers unique lessons that cannot be fully captured in textbooks or lecture halls. This humanistic perspective elevates the work beyond a technical manual and reinforces the values of observation, empathy and lifelong learning that define good medical practice.
The inclusion of numerous original clinical photographs further enhances the textbook's practical value. Drawn largely from the authors' own extensive clinical experience, these images provide authentic visual documentation of paediatric surgical conditions commonly encountered in Nepal. Where necessary, additional illustrations have been incorporated from acknowledged sources, ensuring both academic integrity and educational richness. Equally admirable is the humility with which the editors present their work. Recognising that this is the first edition, they openly acknowledge the possibility of typographical or editorial errors and invite constructive feedback from readers to improve future editions. Such openness reflects the scientific spirit upon which meaningful academic progress depends.
All these qualities make Basics of Paediatric Surgery far more than a conventional medical textbook. It is both a comprehensive academic resource and a testament to the decades-long efforts to establish paediatric surgery as a recognised specialty in Nepal. By documenting not only the science of paediatric surgical care but also the evolution of the discipline, the editors have created a work of enduring educational and historical value.
At a time when Nepal is steadily expanding its own body of medical scholarship, this publication stands as a landmark achievement. It demonstrates that high-quality academic resources can emerge from Nepal's institutions and clinical experience while meeting international standards. For medical students, educators, surgeons and healthcare professionals, Basics of Paediatric Surgery is poised to become an indispensable reference. Above all, it serves as a powerful reminder that visionary leadership, dedication to patient care and an unwavering commitment to education can shape not only individual careers but also the future of an entire medical specialty.
Book Details
Book Name: Basics of Pediatric Surgery: A Textbook for Medical Students and Professionals
Chief Editor: Prof. Dr Rameshwar Prasad Pokharel
Publisher and Distributor: Samiksha Publication (P.) Ltd.
_20240227153501.jpg)
