Gastrointestinal endoscopy and general surgical practice. Surgical endoscopy versus surgeon endoscopists.

Endoscopic studies and treatment are a necessary and vital component of General Surgery practice. Since most of the concepts related to therapeutic endoscopy were conceived and developed in the context of surgical science, it is both appropriate and necessary that surgeons continue their involvement with this modality. Furthermore, within the evolution of surgical science, endoscopic tools will continue to be utilized.