[Esophagogastroduodenoscpy by the surgeon].

In 1990, 123 gastroscopies were performed by surgeons in the Department of Surgery, General Hospital, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Seventy-five percent of these procedures were done on a diagnostic basis and twenty-five percent were controls. Endoscopy includes diagnostic, therapeutic and control procedures of numerous surgical diseases. It is thus important for the general surgeon to be committed in the endoscopic management of these pathologies. Furthermore, preoperative gastroscopy can influence or modify the operative technique. By his nearly inborn knowledge of anatomy, tissue consistency and texture, the surgeon has a priceless advantage to learn, practice and teach endoscopy. Therefore, teaching programs in surgical endoscopy should be widely created and developed in university and teaching hospitals to allow young surgeons a systematic and progressive training during their residency.