The endoscopic use of lasers in the treatment of gastrointestinal d
seases began within the last decade and has evolved rapidly. Work is now
being done at more than 150 centers in Europe, the United States, Japan
and the rest of the world. To date no publi- cation has defined the
state of the art. This text attempts to fill that void. To disseminate
information about therapeutic laser endoscopy, an increasing number of
short courses have been sponsored in the United States wherein the
attendee hears didactic lectures, views video tapes, and in addition,
has the opportunity to have a "hands-on" experience with endoscopic
laser therapy in the animal labs. This book is an expansion of the
material presented in one such course sponsored by The Cook County
Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, in October, 1982. The course was
organized by Peter Bright-Asare, M. D., Chairman of Gastroenterology at
the time of the course and chaired by Dr. Bright-Asare and myself. Some
of the lectures from the course have been broadened and formalized.
Other chapters were invited and added. Also included are group
discussions about issues that are either controversial or undefined.
Attempts were made to secure consensus opinion from experienced
investigators in areas where no hard scientific experimental or clinical
data exists. The contributors have a wide range of interest and
expertise. Dr.