Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Basic Upper Endoscopy

Abstract

Since the beginning of the 1970s, flexible endoscopy of the gastrointestinal tract has been the dominant modality for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease. Over the same period, developments in technology and methodology have made possible the use of endos-copy to treat a host of conditions that once were considered to be manageable only by means of surgical intervention. The concept of performing endoscopic surgery has become a reality with the advancement of endoscopic therapies to control hemorrhage and perform mucosal ablations, resections, and tissue approximation. In addition, investigation into intra-abdominal interventions has begun with the progression of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). The tools created for both intraluminal and transluminal procedures will allow the endoscopist to continue to supplant surgical therapies for numerous gastrointestinal diseases. The integration of flexible endoscopic techniques into the armamentarium of the gastrointestinal surgeon permits a more multidi-mensional approach to the treatment of digestive system disorders. The modern surgeon must continue to stay abreast of these en-doscopic advances to provide appropriate patient care. This review contains 12 figures, 2 tables, and 21 references. Key words: optical biopsy, chromoendoscopy, over the scope clips, endoscopic suturing techniques