[Modern therapeutic endoscopy of the pancreato-biliary region]

Therapeutic endoscopy of the pancreatobiliary region has brought about a significant shift as regards therapeutic possibilities of choledocholithiasis, stenotio processes of the biliary pathways and some changes affecting the pancreatic duct. It made it possible to treat without surgery also those patients whose general health status rules out classical surgical treatment. In the CSSR in recent years in this area a considerable development was observed and practically all methods of therapeutic endoscopy are available in Czechoslovakia. The authors draw attention to the need to develop central endoscopic departments which alone, when properly staffed, can implement effective endoscopic treatment of pancreatobiliary diseases.