Book excerpt: This atlas, containing a wealth of clear operative images, is designed to enable trainee surgeons to visualise the surgical field for procedures specific to open colorectal surgery, thereby facilitating understanding and learning of surgical techniques and avoidance of intra- and postoperative complications. Step-by-step guidance is provided for a wide range of procedures to the colon, rectum, pelvic floor, anus and anal canal, in each case paying meticulous attention to surgical anatomy. The full range of potential indications for open surgery is considered, including benign and malignant tumours, inflammatory bowel disease, appendicitis, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, anal fistulas and rectal prolapse among others. Whenever considered necessary, additional line drawings are included to aid comprehension of particular steps in the surgery. Readers seeking to improve their understanding of surgical anatomy and how to perform these operative procedures will find the atlas to be an unparalleled source of information and assistance. A complementary book from the same authors focuses on laparoscopic colorectal surgery.