title: Transgastric endoscopy--a new fashion, a new excitement!
abstract: Current flexible gastrointestinal endoscopy has been enriched by a new technique, transluminal endoscopic surgery, which has recently attracted an explosion of interest. To date, the established applications are few, but this review attempts to provide an overview of the present status of the procedures and of the development of the technical devices. The possible risks will be addressed as well as the potential benefits. Ethical issues and safeguards may need exploration. Above all, the principal developments in techniques for closure of incisions will be described here, including each of the methods and devices. Expansion in perspective as well as size is most important both in business and science, as it brings new dimensions to our lives and work. A steady state is a myth, in general, as it will be overtaken by new developments, that transform into new steady states which themselves will be superseded.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Homerton Hospital, London, United Kingdom. fri.rav@btopenworld.com
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fritscher-Ravens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019723:Endoscopes; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D013270:Stomach / Q000601:surgery*; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical