Preface The seventh edition of Operative Pediatric Surgery has been extensively updated and revised. It follows the well established format of previous editions with the focus being on limited and concise text accompanying simple clear black and white line drawings. We have attempted to maintain the consistency of style and a high standard of artwork which has characterised previous editions. All the artwork has been done by a single group of medical artists thereby maintaining a unified conformity for all the operative drawing. Each chapter commences with a short historical review, followed by the principles and justification for the procedure, preoperative investigations and preparation and the operative procedure in well-defined stages from incision, through the surgical details to wound closure. This is followed by notes on postoperative care, complications and outcome. Finally, there is a short list of recommended further reading related to the actual operation. A new departure, reflecting the advances in minimal invasive surgery, is that, where relevant, each chapter comprises the open alongside the laparoscopic/ thoracoscopic technique. Minimal invasive surgery offers significant advantages in cosmesis, reduced postoperative pain and shorter hospital stay which has obvious economic implications. There are new sections on operating room requirements for minimal invasive surgery and the ergonomics of laparoscopic surgery--Provided by publisher.