The utility of intraoperative endoscopy in esophagogastric surgery

Flexible endoscopy (FE) plays a major role in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disease. Although its intraoperative use has spread over the years, its use by surgeons is still limited in our setting. FE training opportunities are different among many institutions, specialties, and countries. Intraoperative endoscopy (IOE) presents peculiarities that increase its complexity compared to standard FE. IOE has a positive impact on surgical results, due to increased safety and quality, as well as a reduction in the complications. Due to its innumerable advantages, its intraoperative use by surgeons is currently a current project in many countries and is part of the near future in others because of the creation of better structured training projects. This manuscript reviews and updates the indications and uses of intraoperative upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in esophagogastric surgery.