The Comprehensive ABSIT Review (Fiser, Comprehensive Absite Review)

I don't recommend this for most general surgery residents. If you're a prelim, plastics, or urology resident forced to take the ABSITE, don't get this book. I give it 4 stars, though, because it's as thorough as any 'review' can be. This should be titled the Comprehensive ABSITE *and* Oral Board Review. No one shall expand on this an call it a 'review'- at that point it becomes a textbook.Positives:1. If the ABSITE asks a question not in this book, hate the game, not the player. It truly is COMPREHENSIVE. The ABSITE is a city with a zoo, and this book shows you where the zebras are.2. Fiser does underline, italicize, and asterix VERY important info. Every 3rd word is bolded, like the regular ABSITE Review, making it more of a way to breakup monotony than emphasize important stuff.***3***. The diagnostic and treatment algorithims are complete yet simple. I feel like I could read about a certain scenario (e.g. breast mass in pregnancy) and have a *very* strong oral board answer. And not just one answer, but counter answers. This is the secret advantage of this book. For each surgical disease, it runs over workup, surgical indications, surgical options, complications, and deviations from typical scenarios extremely wellNegatives:1. No figures, diagrams, or pictures. It's like looking at a Word document a friend made. If you crave visuals, get the regular ABSITE review.2. It's big. It's several hundred pages in very small font. It doesn't fit well in a white coat pocket. You can't study this thing the night or even a month prior to the test. This is a year-round supplement. It could be integrated in a curriculum or to brush up for a rotation. If you need to cram, you're better off memorizing the ABSITE Killer which for some reason still is relevant.3. Cost. This is a ridiculous price for such a sparing presentation. Almost boycott worthy. It's a cynical price to game those nuts who feel like they need to know everything (I'm guilty).In brief, if the regular ABSITE Review is a distillation of the pertinent highlights and figures from Greenfield's, this is stripping away all the gloss, and infusing it with Cameron's and the rare nugget from Mastery of Surgery. If you like to buy Apple products or furniture from IKEA, stay away from this book, and get  The ABSITE Review  instead- that one is attractive, easier to use, and really does cover the essential points for the ABSITE. The Comprehensive ABSITE Review is big, ugly, and powerful.

I am a second year General Surgery resident and have read The Absite Review many times by Fiser. I decided to get this book for more information. The reviews were right in that it's very dense. Small font, top-to-bottom and no pictures. It has a lot of information that isn't in The Absite Review, but it's also missing information that the other book has. I think it's meant to be an add-on to the original book and not a replacement. I recommend this book, but in addition to The Absite Review. That way you get all the information and some pictures.

A note of advice to those looking for ABSITE review sources: it just depends on how you learn. If you found the First Aid type review book helpful, you might like this. It's just a list of notes from someone taking the test. I myself was more of a "Step Up" girl so this is not something that I've liked thus far, as a review guide or a reference. That said, it's known as "the book to get" when studying for the ABSITE. It certainly is more thorough than it's Fiser counterpart.There are no illustrations. Everything is in note-style, the way you would take notes from a textbook. Don't expect complete sentences, many things are abbreviated. But, it has the right information for sure. Good luck studying.

The information is very old and outdated. Even though it is one of if not the most thorough review book, almost every page had something incorrect or outdated. If you memorized this book you would probably do well on your in-service exams but you would also learn a lot of incorrect information which could be hurtful to your career. Do NOT buy this book for any surgical/ABSITE review. Always get the most updated review books as medical management changes over time, we learn new things, and we correct mistakes in the literature. Fiser has newer better versions for ABSITE review, though unfortunately, none are as comprehensive. If this book was updated to be current yet retain the comprehensive coverage of surgery then this book would be amazing. Until then, get the newest version.

Im a 5th year 1 month away from graduation, bought this as a quick read for board review. I never had problems with my inservice. I personally like De Virgillio better but that's a question book (my favorite) and obviously neither of these are a replacement for text but its serving its purpose.

I wish this book had pictures, but that's not a criticism. It is a rather exhaustive review (for this test), and great if you have the time. Probably not the go-to reference for active residents. But if you're on research, it's a must-buy.

Used by residents and doctors.

Very informative and comprehensive in a small package