Endolumenal Therapy of Gastrointestinal Disorders

We have witnessed amazing progress in the endoscopic therapy of gastrointestinal disorders over the past 2 decades. Endoscopic procedures that are now often completed in the outpatient setting have replaced what once were major operative interventions for our patients. This expansion of endolumenal therapies has transformed our approach to specific clinical problems in such a way that endoscopic therapy is now the preferred treatment option for many conditions discussed in this edition. This movement has offered exciting opportunities for endoscopists, biomedical engineers, and device developers while clearly benefitting our patients. It has also led to continued research and product development that promises to maintain and even accelerate progress in this arena in the coming years.

In this issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America selected experts in specific clinical areas have described the significant progress that has occurred in endolumenal therapy of gastrointestinal disorders. Articles focus on specific issues from the esophagus to the colon and the applicable regions in between. Each article highlights the state-of-the-art approach to specific clinical disorders. Many individuals will enjoy reading the entire text for an overview of the direction the field of endolumenal therapy has taken. Others can alternatively focus only on specific articles of interest based on their practice or research field. Regardless, I am certain that you will find the articles well written and state of the art.

A work of this scope is not possible without the detailed contribution of the experts who have generously given their time and expertise to this project. For your contributions we are all sincerely grateful. A special thanks to Dr Charlie Lightdale for initiating this project and to Kerry Holland, the Senior Editor at Elsevier, for getting it all done. Please enjoy this issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America on Endolumenal Therapy of Gastrointestinal Disorders. I hope it stimulates you to think about how you might modify your practice and improve patient care with even just one of these approaches.

Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue