Spiros D. Ladas Livres

Sedation for gastrointestinal endoscopy is routinely employed to relieve patients’ anxiety and fear of the examination. In recent years, propofol has become a suitable alternative to the previously widely used benzodiazepine. However, as sedation is estimated to be responsible for about 50% of all gastrointestinal endoscopy complications, proper training how to administer sedation and monitor sedated patients is important. This publication contains a selection of short expert reviews presented at an international meeting held in Athens in September 2009, funded by OMED, the Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology, the ESGE and UEGF, and endorsed by the ASGE. An international faculty discussed recent advances in the field, focusing on indications as well the nature and safety of sedatives and analgesics, their administration, the required monitoring and issues related to training in their use. Furthermore, medico-legal issues related to the use of propofol by gastroenterologists were discussed. Containing up-to-date information on sedation for gastrointestinal endoscopy, the publication at hand is a most useful tool for the clinician working in the field.

The introduction of new potent drugs and the invention and development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic techniques have dramatically changed the possibilities of diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal diseases. As a result, many new professional, legal, and ethical issues have emerged. This publication contains a selection of papers presented during the 2nd Symposium on Ethics in Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy (organized by the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, ESGE, and the World Organization of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, OMED, in association with the United European Gastroenterology Federation, UEGF). Topics include issues related to obtaining informed consent, quality control for endoscopic maintenance and repair services, geriatric gastroenterology (covering among other things the epidemiology of gastrointestinal diseases in the elderly and drug interactions due to polypharmacy), the importance of the psychiatric profile of individuals suffering from excessive weight or obesity, and the correct approach to obtaining a second medical opinion. Addressing a wide range of topics, this publication is intended to assist practicing gastroenterologists in their dealings with some of the issues raised by recent developments.

Special Topic Digestive Diseases 2002, Vol. 20, No. 3-4 The industrialized world of the 21st century has seen a dramatic explosion of knowledge and biotechnology in relation to medicine, a circumstance which created new ethical dilemmas for researchers, clinicians and ethicists. Professionalism in gastroenterology should not solely concentrate on clinical and endoscopic skills, but combine them with the humanistic and ethical aspects of medicine. However, publications on ethics with regard to gastroenterology have been rare, a fact which might explain the finding published in this issue that only about 50% of a representative sample of European gastroenterologists have read an article on medical ethics over the past 10 years. In order to improve the present situation, this publication addresses various issues such as informed consent, preventive screening in a low-risk (normal) population, equipment re-processing or publication ethics. It is highly recommended that gastroenterologists, surgeons and internists read this publication as both doctor and patient will benefit from the clarification of various ethical dilemmas.