Abstract
Gastroscopy (upper digestive endoscopy) is a widely used diagnostic and therapeutic method. Historically, this is the oldest of the endoscopic methods, which subsequently expanded into other areas (colonoscopy, ERCP, EUS).
Based on a long history and relatively simple implementation, the method is rated as conventional, and the quality of it has not yet been in the focus of attention in countries with a low risk of gastric cancer. However, this contrasts with the current challenges of early diagnosis of pre/neoplastic lesions in the upper part of the GIT and the necessity of high quality surveillance for some high-risk groups.
The main goal of defining qualitative parameters is, in particular, early diagnosis of neoplastic lesions, which then enables minimally invasive endoscopic therapy with preservation of the given organ and a fundamental impact on treatment results, quality of life and the patient's prognosis. The importance of certain non-oncological diseases (mainly celiac disease and eosinophilic esophagitis) continues to grow in the population, diagnosis of which also has its pitfalls.
Despite the fact the method is generally considered to be very safe, it can be accompanied by complications, and endoscopists must be prepared for solving them. The comfort of the patient undergoing gastroscopy is an equally important aspect.
Efforts to define quality parameters for upper GI endoscopic examination led to the publication of European standards [1,2], despite the lack of quality evidence, which contrasts with similar activities in colonoscopy. The Endoscopic Section of the Czech Gastroenterology Society decided to contribute to the improvement of the quality of upper endoscopy in the Czech Republic by defining the recommendations based on the above standards, taking into account local conditions and needs as well as current knowledge.
The goal is to create the most practical tool for the cultivation of gastroscopic examination in the Czech Republic, similar to how it has already been successfully achieved in case of colonoscopy method.