ENDOSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF ULCER DISEASE

Endoscopy has revolutionized the management of digestive diseases in g eneral and ulcer disease in particular. It allows the physician to vie w the pathologic process directly, and with biopsy and cytology techni ques, to obtain histological samples. Endoscopy helped to usher in the field of minimally invasive therapy and endoscopic treatment of bleed ing ulcers and is now a standard form of treatment. This overview is d ivided into three parts: first, the current diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic management of ulcer disease will be addressed; second, som e of the current work that should have future applications in the same area will be discussed. Finally, some conceptual ideals that look fur ther beyond future applications will be addressed.