Applying basic principles of surgery may pave the way for more effective endoscopic bariatric techniques.

 In the last decade, gastroenterologists have been attempting to use endoscopy to reproduce the great success of traditional surgical suture techniques. Despite recent advances, we still lack a reliable method that results in a permanent suture with minimal incidence of suture failure. This was an experimental study in pigs with an innovative technique that applied basic surgical concepts to endoscopy to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel suture technique.

Endoscopic suprapapillary blunt dissection of the distal common bile duct in cases of difficult cannulation: a pilot series.

Background And Study Aims: There is no consensus about the optimal alternative procedure in cases of failed cannulation of the common bile duct (CBD). The alternatives are usually considered to be high-risk procedures. This study describes endoscopic dissection of the distal biliary tract (EDBT) as a new technique in cases of difficult cannulation of the CBD.

Endoscopic treatment of Zenker's diverticulum.

Background: The most important aspect of the surgical management of Zenker's diverticulum is probably the cricopharyngeal myotomy. Endoscopic diverticulotomy can be performed with a needle-knife papillotome, which allows simultaneous myotomy of the upper esophageal sphincter.

Methods: Since 1978, 47 patients (28 men and 19 women 51 to 81 years of age) underwent endoscopic diverticulotomy.

Endoscopic percutaneous gastrostomy without laparotomy.

Observation and manipulation through the endofiberscope, have resulted in a new method of establishing gastrostomy without laparotomy. Subsequent to experimental studies with dogs, the new method was employed to substitute nasogastric tube in patients. In this new procedure, endoscopic application permits the placing of stitches in close contact with the abdominal and gastric walls.