Book excerpt: A collaboration of ESTES (European Society for Trauma and Emergency Surgery) and AAST (American Association for the Surgery of Trauma), The ESTES/AAST Emergency Surgery Course Handbook: A Practical Reference in Expecting the Unexpected presents authoritative, unified treatment guidelines in emergency general surgery (EGS). Global experts in the field, led by the Emergency Surgery Course Steering Committee, address common issues such as delayed recognition and delayed or inappropriate treatment, while helping readers hone their EGS skills and improve patient outcomes.