[Gastroenterological endoscopy--fascination and obligation (author's transl)]

The development of fiber endoscopy has made possible routine endoscopic bioptic examination of the upper (including the duodenum) and lower digestive tract (with the terminal ileum). Biopsy material can be obtained in the necessary quantities with forceps or a loop. In many centers endoscopy is already the basic method for the diagnosis of diseases of the upper digestive tract. A similar tendency is also becoming apparent in colo-ileoscopy. The increase in the frequency of endoscopic investigations is accompanied by a decrease in the number of complications. The increasing importance and dissemination of gastrointestinal fiber endoscopy demands greater and better training facilities and adequate control of qualifications together with an integrated cooperation with the pathologists.