Cardiac surgery is one of the supreme arts in medicine, and pediatric cardiac surgery is even more so. Both have steadily been refined over the last half-century in Japan, where surgical innovations and significant improvements in technique have enabled doctors to save the lives of many neonates. Inspired by research into neonatal hemodynamics, an association of peers called genkai helped initiatethe moderate hypothermic high-flow cardiopulmonary bypass in Japan was initiated, with notable success. This book, written by leaders in cardiac surgery, presents a comprehensive compilation of surgical procedures, offering tips and cautionary comments as well as highlighting key steps to be taken. Also included are surgical techniques, invented in Japan, that use only autologous tissue or nonhomograft material. These kinds of modifications will be useful resources for surgeons in parts of the world where homografts are not available. Filled with illustrations drawn from the surgeon's pointof view, it the book will be useful not only to surgeons and students but also to paramedical personnel. Besides, many surgical techniques that use only autologous tissue or nonhomograft material were invented in Japan. These kind of modifications will become useful resources to surgeons in some part of world where the homograft is not available. It is the authors' aim to contribute to the advancement of this specialized field and ultimately to improve the quality of life of small children.

Editor-in-chief: Hisataka Yasui