Foreword

Almost every practicing gastrointestinal endoscopist has had the experience of receiving an emergency call. The mind races. What has been my experience with this kind of emergency? Are there guidelines for what to do? Is the proper equipment available? Do I need help with this? Must I respond immediately or is there more time? It was this type of moment that made me want to focus an entire issue of the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America on endoscopic emergencies.

Even for the seasoned gastroenterologist, emergencies that might be saved by the skillful use of endoscopy can come in so many variations that it is difficult to be knowledgeable about them all. Guest editors Drs. Timothy Kinney and Martin Freeman have done a remarkable job in considering emergencies involving therapeutic endoscopy in gastroenterology practice. The thoughtful in-depth coverage of the major categories of endoscopic emergencies is a wonderful compendium by a group of outstanding experts.

I thought that this issue would be a great guide to have ready when the telephone message is: “Can you help with this emergency?” It can happen anytime. My advice is to keep Kinney and Freeman's issue on endoscopic emergencies in a very handy place.