PubMed1976
In the years between 1958 and 1970, diagnostic endoscopy made decisive advances. In this period, the ground was prepared for operative endoscopy. This applies not only to the technical, but also to the psychological aspects. The fact that formerly hidden structures could now be directly inspected and ""grasped'', spurned the endoscopist to intensive activity. Polypectomy, papillotomy with the removal of gallstones and, increasingly, photocoagulation for the arrest of bleeding, have made in many cases classical surgical operations superfluous. In close cooperation and rapport with the surgeons, the indications for, but also the limitations of, the new procedure are being established. In addition to the more practical aspects, modern endoscopy has also created a bridge to better understanding of biochemical processes in the gastrointestinal tract. The possibility of being able to investigate the effects of newly discovered, analysed and synthesized gastrointestinal hormones has been considerably improved. Endoscopy, formerly considered, more or less, a hobby for a few specialists, has become a sort of intermediary system which is capable of providing excellent diagnostic information, of making possible elegant therapeutic measures and of producing new biochemical information. In this creative function, it is surpassed by virtually no other method. A pre-condition for this development was, however, that the endoscopist was not content to remain merely an observer of interesting views, but was, rather, an active physician, to whom the advantages to the patient of early detection of disease and suitable therapeutic measures were equally important as the useful information obtained on biochemical relationships.