Endoscopic procedures advance physician knowledge and pa...( WASHINGTON D.C. (May 22 2007) -- Res...),Health

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 22, 2007) -- Research presented today at Digestive Disease Week 2007 (DDW) examines a new endoscopic suturing method for the treatment of gastrointestinal perforations and other types of transgastric surgery, as well as the use of wireless capsule endoscopy in young children, to better understand the pathology of the small intestine. Endoscopic procedures are continually enhancing and improving a physician's ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. The development and evaluation of innovative techniques and the use of proven techniques in new settings is expanding the set of tools physicians have to work with to provide the best care for patients. DDW is the largest international gathering of physicians and researchers in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery.

"The quality and delivery of evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of the GI tract and surrounding areas is constantly improving due to newer and better endoscopic procedures," said Gregory Ginsberg, M.D., AGAF, University of Pennsylvania Health System. "This translates into both increased knowledge about the GI tract and related diseases and safer and more effective care for patients."

With the emergence of the novel surgical technique known as Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTESTM), physicians and researchers are discovering new and minimally-invasive ways to conduct abdominal operations. NOTES is performed by passing an endoscope through a natural orifice, such as the mouth or anus, then making an internal incision in the stomach, colon, bladder or vagina, thus avoiding external incisions or scarring. Since its introduction in 2004, many physicians have tested this concept to determine its strengths, w
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Contact: Aimee Frank
AFrank@gastro.org
301-941-2620
American Gastroenterological Association
22-May-2007