1978 Volume 20 Issue 2 Pages 87-99
A fiberscope for the upper GI tract, GIF-P 2, is a forward-viewing scope featured with thin diameter and a strongly flexible short tip. After its completion following to our medical advice in November 1975, 2, 500 times of examination were carried out in our clinic. In 971 times it was performed without previous X-ray examination. We heve reviewed the files of endoscopy films and reports and studied about the usefulness of a GIF-P 2 in comparison to the other models. Its introduction was always smooth except in 2 cases of cervical esophageal stenosis. "U-turn" observation of the esophagus, cardia and duodenal cap was easy. Investigation of a focus from unusual angle of view is available with this "U-turn" technique. No complications were encountered except one massive bleeding after polypectomy of a big gastric polyp. Grade "A" quality photographs of each part were taken in 74 to 95 % respectively from the esophagus to duodenal cap. Distribution of 276 gastric ulcers in the stomach detected with a GIF-P 2 was same to that diagnosed by conventional method. This indicates absence of blind area in the stomach for a GIF-P 2. In 87 % of cases diagnosed as advanced stomach cancer and 59 % as early one, cancer was confirmed afterwards. On the other hand, malignant cases were detected by biopsy in 1.7% of the cases which were reported as benign with a GIF-P 2. These figures are in the same level to that obtained with side-viewing gastrofiberscopes. The ability for detailed observation is as excellent as ordinary f iberscopes. Biopsy with a GIF-P 2 hits the focus in 97 % of advanced cancer and 100 % of early ones in the stomach and esophagus. Its flexibility and nicely controlable tip contribute very much to establish these marbellous results. In conclusion a GIF-P 2 is the most suitable fiberscope for panendoscopy of the upper GI tract. The pain to patients is minimum. In order to fit the world-wide requirement for reduction of ionizing irradiation, panendo-scopy with a GIF-P 2 should be performed in the place of conventional upper GI series. In our clinic the latter was reduced less than half after the use of a GIF-P2.
