Therapeutic Laser Endoscopy in Gastrointestinal Disease

1. Medical laser fundamentals.- 2. Laser tissue interaction.- 3. Natural history of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and determinants of outcome.- 4. Endoscopic control of gastrointestinal bleeding with don-laser devices.- 5. Endoscopic and pharmacologic therapy of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Laser vs. pharmacotherapy vs. autacid.- 6. European experience with Nd: YAG and argon laser for therapy of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.- 7. Controlled trials of laser therapy in the treatment of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage.- 8a. Treatment techniques for massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding. General considerations.- 8b. Specific treatment techniques for massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding.- 9. Therapy of upper gastrointestinal bleeding: Electrocautery vs. argon laser vs. Nd: YAG laser. Panel discussion. Moderator.- 10. A general overview of treatment techniques. Panel discussion. Moderator.- 11. Endoscopic laser therapy of upper gastrointestinal carcinomas.- 12. Laser therapy of colonic neoplasms.- 13. Gastrointestinal angiomata: diagnosis and treatment with laser therapy and other endoscopic modalities.- 14. Non-gastrointestinal uses of lasers in medicine and surgery.- 15. Organization of a multidisciplinary laser center.- 16. Complications of endoscopic laser therapy.- 17. Use of lasers in community hospitals in United States.- 18. Legal aspects of laser use in the United States.- 19. Undecided issues about the use of lasers in gastrointestinal disease. Panel discussion. Moderator.- 20. Current limitations, new technological directions and areas of investigation. Panel discussion. Moderator.