Abstract
Introduction Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding remains a
common clinical problem encountered by every emergency
room and trauma physician. Endoscopy remains the main
approach to the diagnosis and therapy of GI bleeding.
Objectives To present the modern endoscopic approach
for GI bleeding.
Methods Narrative review based on our expertise and
inclusion of classic articles dealing with interventional and
therapeutic GI endoscopy.
Results GI hemorrhage is now classified as upper, middle,
and lower GI bleeding. Upper GI bleeding is defined as
hemorrhage originating from the oropharynx to the ligament
of Treitz (or papilla of Vater), middle GI bleeding occurs distal
to the papilla of Vater to the terminal ileum, and lower GI
bleeding is defined as bleeding distal to the ileocecal valve,
including the entire colon and anorectum. Endoscopic methods
used to diagnosed and treat GI bleeding include esophagogastroduodenoscopy,
duodenoscopy, capsule endoscopy,
double- and single-balloon enteroscopy, spiral enteroscopy,
and colonosocopy