The History Of Endoscopy

Interventional endoscopy is an extremely fertile area for innovation.  It was only 50 years that the flexible fiberoptic endoscope was invented, enabling the physician to visualize the gastrointestinal tract and perform therapy from the inside of the body.   Historically, the role of endoscopic therapy was reserved for those cases where surgery had failed or the patient was unfit to undergo surgery.   This has changed and a growing list of endoscopic procedures are replacing surgical treatment.