Advanced gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy (AGE) is a specialized field within gastroenterology, which comprises expert diagnostic and therapeutic services in managing patients with complex GI diseases. Traditionally, endoscopies are performed by general gastroenterologists and surgeons. Technological advances in the fiber optic devices led to the introduction of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with fine needle aspiration in the fourth quarter of the 20th century, an evolution from the original prototype “gastro-camera”. This millennium has seen an exponential growth in the field of AGE with new and unique diagnostic and therapeutic techniques such as EUS-guided core biopsy, placement of stents within and across the GI lumens (using lumen apposing metal stents), confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE), endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), full thickness resection, diverticulectomy, Cholangioscopy / Pancreatoscopy, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), cryotherapy, endoscopic suturing, and the latest gadget being endo-robotics. The list continues to grow with the development of multiple sub-specializations such as endoscopic bariatric procedures (Endobariatrics), anti-reflux therapy, interventional IBD, interventional endoscopic oncology, and third space endoscopy (endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), peroral endoscopy myotomy (POEM) and sub mucosal tunnel endoscopic resection (STER)).
These techniques led to the evolution of advanced endoscopy as one of the most rapidly growing and sought-after field in gastroenterology. These complex procedures with new devices and techniques need extra effort and education among the endoscopists with a variable learning curve. Additionally, identifying the appropriate context to apply these procedures to the patients and understanding the intricacies, risks, and benefits is critical for excellent outcomes. Advanced endoscopic procedures are minimally invasive, safe and cost effective, in expert hands. It calls for an immediate need for a focused issue on the “Recent Updates in Advanced Gastrointestinal Endoscopy,” which can not only enhance the understanding of this field but also evaluate for patient outcomes. Hence, we aim to develop this Research Topic to contribute, share, and update advancements in this rapidly evolving procedural field.
Themes and questions that we want to develop in this Research Topic include, but are not limited to:
• Advances in Endobariatrics: What the future holds
• Complex polypectomy: Will it replace surgery?
• EUS-guided vascular interventions
• Endoscope related disease transmission: Are disposable endoscopes the way to go?
• Artificial intelligence in gastrointestinal endoscopy. Are we ready yet?
• Peroral myotomy for esophageal and gastric diseases
• Changes in advance endoscopy fellowship. Are We Biting Off More than We Can Chew?
• EUS-guided drainage of pancreatic collections
• EUS-guided liver interventions: the new tools
• Imaging advances in advanced endoscopy
• Interventional endoscopic oncology: Can we cure early cancer?
• Therapeutic endoscopic advances in Barrett’s disease
• Third space endoscopy: Has the West caught up with the East?
• Endoscopic advances in GERD
• Improving quality and patient- perspective during GI endoscopy. Areas to work on
• The future of GI endoscopy with changes in Cost- is this affordable?
Advanced gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy (AGE) is a specialized field within gastroenterology, which comprises expert diagnostic and therapeutic services in managing patients with complex GI diseases. Traditionally, endoscopies are performed by general gastroenterologists and surgeons. Technological advances in the fiber optic devices led to the introduction of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with fine needle aspiration in the fourth quarter of the 20th century, an evolution from the original prototype “gastro-camera”. This millennium has seen an exponential growth in the field of AGE with new and unique diagnostic and therapeutic techniques such as EUS-guided core biopsy, placement of stents within and across the GI lumens (using lumen apposing metal stents), confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE), endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), full thickness resection, diverticulectomy, Cholangioscopy / Pancreatoscopy, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), cryotherapy, endoscopic suturing, and the latest gadget being endo-robotics. The list continues to grow with the development of multiple sub-specializations such as endoscopic bariatric procedures (Endobariatrics), anti-reflux therapy, interventional IBD, interventional endoscopic oncology, and third space endoscopy (endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), peroral endoscopy myotomy (POEM) and sub mucosal tunnel endoscopic resection (STER)).
These techniques led to the evolution of advanced endoscopy as one of the most rapidly growing and sought-after field in gastroenterology. These complex procedures with new devices and techniques need extra effort and education among the endoscopists with a variable learning curve. Additionally, identifying the appropriate context to apply these procedures to the patients and understanding the intricacies, risks, and benefits is critical for excellent outcomes. Advanced endoscopic procedures are minimally invasive, safe and cost effective, in expert hands. It calls for an immediate need for a focused issue on the “Recent Updates in Advanced Gastrointestinal Endoscopy,” which can not only enhance the understanding of this field but also evaluate for patient outcomes. Hence, we aim to develop this Research Topic to contribute, share, and update advancements in this rapidly evolving procedural field.
Themes and questions that we want to develop in this Research Topic include, but are not limited to:
• Advances in Endobariatrics: What the future holds
• Complex polypectomy: Will it replace surgery?
• EUS-guided vascular interventions
• Endoscope related disease transmission: Are disposable endoscopes the way to go?
• Artificial intelligence in gastrointestinal endoscopy. Are we ready yet?
• Peroral myotomy for esophageal and gastric diseases
• Changes in advance endoscopy fellowship. Are We Biting Off More than We Can Chew?
• EUS-guided drainage of pancreatic collections
• EUS-guided liver interventions: the new tools
• Imaging advances in advanced endoscopy
• Interventional endoscopic oncology: Can we cure early cancer?
• Therapeutic endoscopic advances in Barrett’s disease
• Third space endoscopy: Has the West caught up with the East?
• Endoscopic advances in GERD
• Improving quality and patient- perspective during GI endoscopy. Areas to work on
• The future of GI endoscopy with changes in Cost- is this affordable?
