The second volume of Operative Manual of Endoscopic Surgery covers some of the operative endoscopic procedures which have been introduced into clinical practice since the publication of VoI. 1. In the general section, we have included an updated chapter on instrumentation and new chapters on anaesthetic manage­ ment of patients undergoing endoscopic surgery and on video image and record­ ing. Both topics are of importance to the practice of endoscopic surgery and have not been adequately covered in the reported literature. Volume 2 deals with endoscopic procedures)nthechest and abdomen. There have been significant advances in thoracoscopic surgery duririg the past 2 years; particular reference rs made to anatomical pulmonary resections and oesophageal resections. As far as the gastrointestinal trad is concerned, we have included gastric and allied operations but have not covered the colorectal region as we believe that more evaluation is needed before definitive accounts can be written on endoscopic colorectal resections, especially for cancer. For this reason, we have decided to defer this important topic to VoI. 3, which is in preparation. The same applies to laparoscopic repair of abdominal hernias. The same layout has been adopted as in VoI. 1 of the series, with heavy em­ phasis on illustrative representation of the operative steps and techniques. In the diagrams on sites of trocar/cannulae, we have indicated not only the site and size but also the functional role of each port.