Upper Gastro-Intestinal Endoscopy in a General Surgical Unit

A consecutive series of 106 upper gastrointestinal endoscopies on a general surgical firm is reviewed. Early endoscopy provided a diagnosis in 86% of patients with Gl bleeds. In patients with a firm radiological diagnosis of duodenal ulcer or gastro-oesophageal reflux, endoscopy added little to management, but endocscopy was helpful when radiology was equivocal, for gastric lesions and for oesophageal strictures. Therapeutic endoscopy was helpful in management on nine occasions.