[Current developments in the field of endoscopy in the treatment of digestive system disorders]

A review is given of new developments of endoscopic treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Endoscopic treatment is possible in patients with peptic stricture or inoperable tumors of the oesophagus, achalasia of the oesophagus, oesophageal varices, polyps and angiodysplasia of the large bowel, stomach and duodenum, choledocholithiasis and unresectable stenosing tumors of the bile ducts. In comparison with surgical therapy endoscopic treatment is relatively simple and has a much lower morbidity and mortality, especially in patients with an increased surgical risk.