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Review
. 2025 Apr 1:1-10.
doi: 10.1159/000545531. Online ahead of print.

Diagnostic Value of Postsurgical Endoscopy

Imad Kamaleddine  1 , Magdalena Popova  1 , Ahmed Alwali  1 , Clemens Schafmayer  1
Affiliations
Review

Diagnostic Value of Postsurgical Endoscopy

Imad Kamaleddine et al. Visc Med. .

Abstract

Background: In the last 3 decades, we have witnessed a significant shift from traditional surgical approaches to minimally invasive and robotic surgery for treating gastrointestinal (GI) conditions minimalizing the associated morbidity and mortality. Meanwhile, endoscopy has continually evolved, reshaping the landscape of both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The implementation of postsurgical endoscopy as a critical diagnostic tool is primarily due to its capabilities in early complication detection and providing a prompt therapy possibility, assessment of healing, management of symptoms, and surveillance for recurrence in malignancy cases.

Summary: This review will first delve into the history of endoscopic developments, explore the various available postoperative diagnostic tools, focusing particularly on endoscopy and showing some real-life examples.

Key messages: As an essential diagnostic tool, postsurgical endoscopy plays a crucial role in the management of patients undergoing upper and lower GI surgeries. It is indispensable for ensuring an optimal postoperative result. The continuous advancements in endoscopic technology and techniques have significantly enhanced the diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities of this modality, solidifying its role in modern GI surgery. Integrating postsurgical endoscopy into routine clinical practice and learning curriculum for surgical residents is vital and essential for optimizing the postoperative care to ensure the best possible outcome for patients.

Keywords: Postsurgical complications; Surgical endoscopy; Upper and lower gastrointestinal surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Anastomotic insufficiency after transhiatal esophagogastrostomy POD 9.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Endoscopic control after EVT POD 21.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Endoscopic evaluation after stent placement.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Stenosis 5 months postoperatively.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.
Small anastomotic insufficiency POD 5 after LAR.
Fig. 6.
Fig. 6.
Hartmann stump to exclude insufficiency POD 9 after sigmoid resection by volvulus.
Fig. 7.
Fig. 7.
Stenosis after sigmoid resection.
Fig. 8.
Fig. 8.
Control of the insufficiency hole after therapy with EVT.
Fig. 9.
Fig. 9.
Detection of active bleeding at the anastomotic site.
Fig. 10.
Fig. 10.
Recurrence at the anastomosis site 1 year after low anterior rectum resection (LAR).
Fig. 11.
Fig. 11.
Recurrence after trans-anal surgical resection of adenoma.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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