This issue of Digestive Diseases brings together an international panel of highly skilled and renown surgical experts introducing the reader to the latest innovations in surgical endoscopy and laparoscopy. In recent years there has been a wide range of innovations and new developments in gastrointestinal endoscopy. New technical devices based on high magnification have further progressed to the dimension of microscopic endoscopy. Moreover, the visual assessment of the entire small bowel and the biliary/pancreatic system has become possible. These developments have revolutionized the approach to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The borders between traditional medical and surgical endoscopy are beginning to disappear, making room for more interaction across medical and surgical disciplines. Integrating gastroenterological and surgical points of view on these modern technologies will greatly benefit the patients. Those involved in the surgical treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, be it gastroenterological surgeons or surgical gastroenterologists, will find a wealth of information in this publication.
Editorial: Ebert, M.P.; Malfertheiner, P.; Endoscopic Therapy for
Oesophageal Cancer: Ng, E.K.W.; Laparoscopic-Endoscopic Rendezvous Resection
of Upper Gastrointestinal Tumors: Schubert, D.; Kuhn, R.; Nestler, G.; Kahl,
S.; Ebert, M.P.; Malfertheiner, P.; Lippert, H.; Pross, M.; Laparoscopic
Gastrectomy for Cancer: Etoh, T.; Shiraishi, N.; Kitano, S.; Current Status
of Laparoscopic Therapy of Cholecystolithiasis and Common Bile Duct Stones:
Shamiyeh, A.; Wayand, W.; Current Status of Laparoscopic Therapy of
Colorectal Cancer: Bruch, H.-P.; Esnaashari, H.; Schwandner, O.; Laparoscopic
Total Mesorectal Excision for Rectal Cancer Surgery: Merescaux, J.; Rubino,
F.; Leroy, J.; Role and Limitations of Laparoscopic Liver Resection of
Colorectal Metastases: Mala, T.; Edwin, B.; P16 Gene Methylation in
Colorectal Tumors: Correlation with Clinicopathological Features and
Prognostic Value: Sanz-Casla, M.T.; Maestro, M.L.; Vidaurreta, M.; Maestro,
C.; Arroyo, M.; Cerdan, J..
