The mouth or the nose: the past, present, and future of ultra-slim gastroscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract in pediatrics
BackgroundUltra-slim, flexible endoscopy pioneered for the evaluation of luminal diseases of the airway, has been used for over 40 years. In the late 20th century, it was adopted in the gastrointestinal specialties for evaluation of the digestive tract with and without the need for sedation. Since t...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Pediatrics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1630157/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1839622408615493632 |
|---|---|
| author | Paul Tran Rose Lee Ali Mencin Matthew Ryan Joel A. Friedlander Michael A. Manfredi |
| author_facet | Paul Tran Rose Lee Ali Mencin Matthew Ryan Joel A. Friedlander Michael A. Manfredi |
| author_sort | Paul Tran |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundUltra-slim, flexible endoscopy pioneered for the evaluation of luminal diseases of the airway, has been used for over 40 years. In the late 20th century, it was adopted in the gastrointestinal specialties for evaluation of the digestive tract with and without the need for sedation. Since the advent of this technology, numerous descriptions of its use in small anatomic areas have been described. These include stricture evaluation and therapy, ostomy evaluation, biliary interventions, and diagnostic endoscopic evaluation of pediatric patients. This manuscript reviews the availability and clinical utility of ultra-slim flexible endoscopes, describes technical approaches, and highlights the potential value the technology offers to pediatric providers and healthcare systems.MethodsA comprehensive literature review was conducted on the use of ultra-slim endoscopes in the pediatric and adult gastroenterology. Expert discussions were held to evaluate current practices, indications, and equipment. The resulting expert opinion was generated to summarize pertinent information regarding key techniques, indications, and practical considerations for implementation in pediatric settings.ResultsAlthough ultra-slim endoscopes started their use in small-space adult gastroenterology procedures, they have shown significant benefit and value within pediatrics. The literature documents their use in both sedated and unsedated environments, including transnasal upper endoscopy, variceal surveillance, esophageal stricture evaluation, neonatal endoscopy, enteral tube placement, and ostomy assessment.ConclusionUltra-slim flexible endoscopy provides pediatric gastroenterologists with a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tool. When used appropriately, either with or without sedation, it has the potential to increase clinical efficiency, reduce procedural risk, and improve access to care. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c26d3568f0894c88a6a56f95ba4b35e7 |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2296-2360 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Pediatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-c26d3568f0894c88a6a56f95ba4b35e72025-07-22T05:29:37ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pediatrics2296-23602025-07-011310.3389/fped.2025.16301571630157The mouth or the nose: the past, present, and future of ultra-slim gastroscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract in pediatricsPaul Tran0Rose Lee1Ali Mencin2Matthew Ryan3Joel A. Friedlander4Michael A. Manfredi5Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, United StatesDivision of Pediatric Gastroenterology, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Wisconsin, WI, United StatesDivision of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United StatesDivision of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesEvoEndo, Inc., Centennial, CO, United StatesDivision of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesBackgroundUltra-slim, flexible endoscopy pioneered for the evaluation of luminal diseases of the airway, has been used for over 40 years. In the late 20th century, it was adopted in the gastrointestinal specialties for evaluation of the digestive tract with and without the need for sedation. Since the advent of this technology, numerous descriptions of its use in small anatomic areas have been described. These include stricture evaluation and therapy, ostomy evaluation, biliary interventions, and diagnostic endoscopic evaluation of pediatric patients. This manuscript reviews the availability and clinical utility of ultra-slim flexible endoscopes, describes technical approaches, and highlights the potential value the technology offers to pediatric providers and healthcare systems.MethodsA comprehensive literature review was conducted on the use of ultra-slim endoscopes in the pediatric and adult gastroenterology. Expert discussions were held to evaluate current practices, indications, and equipment. The resulting expert opinion was generated to summarize pertinent information regarding key techniques, indications, and practical considerations for implementation in pediatric settings.ResultsAlthough ultra-slim endoscopes started their use in small-space adult gastroenterology procedures, they have shown significant benefit and value within pediatrics. The literature documents their use in both sedated and unsedated environments, including transnasal upper endoscopy, variceal surveillance, esophageal stricture evaluation, neonatal endoscopy, enteral tube placement, and ostomy assessment.ConclusionUltra-slim flexible endoscopy provides pediatric gastroenterologists with a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tool. When used appropriately, either with or without sedation, it has the potential to increase clinical efficiency, reduce procedural risk, and improve access to care.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1630157/fullpediatricsgastroenterologyultra-slimultrathinendoscopytransnasal endoscopy |
| spellingShingle | Paul Tran Rose Lee Ali Mencin Matthew Ryan Joel A. Friedlander Michael A. Manfredi The mouth or the nose: the past, present, and future of ultra-slim gastroscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract in pediatrics Frontiers in Pediatrics pediatrics gastroenterology ultra-slim ultrathin endoscopy transnasal endoscopy |
| title | The mouth or the nose: the past, present, and future of ultra-slim gastroscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract in pediatrics |
| title_full | The mouth or the nose: the past, present, and future of ultra-slim gastroscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract in pediatrics |
| title_fullStr | The mouth or the nose: the past, present, and future of ultra-slim gastroscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract in pediatrics |
| title_full_unstemmed | The mouth or the nose: the past, present, and future of ultra-slim gastroscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract in pediatrics |
| title_short | The mouth or the nose: the past, present, and future of ultra-slim gastroscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract in pediatrics |
| title_sort | mouth or the nose the past present and future of ultra slim gastroscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract in pediatrics |
| topic | pediatrics gastroenterology ultra-slim ultrathin endoscopy transnasal endoscopy |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1630157/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT paultran themouthorthenosethepastpresentandfutureofultraslimgastroscopyoftheuppergastrointestinaltractinpediatrics AT roselee themouthorthenosethepastpresentandfutureofultraslimgastroscopyoftheuppergastrointestinaltractinpediatrics AT alimencin themouthorthenosethepastpresentandfutureofultraslimgastroscopyoftheuppergastrointestinaltractinpediatrics AT matthewryan themouthorthenosethepastpresentandfutureofultraslimgastroscopyoftheuppergastrointestinaltractinpediatrics AT joelafriedlander themouthorthenosethepastpresentandfutureofultraslimgastroscopyoftheuppergastrointestinaltractinpediatrics AT michaelamanfredi themouthorthenosethepastpresentandfutureofultraslimgastroscopyoftheuppergastrointestinaltractinpediatrics AT paultran mouthorthenosethepastpresentandfutureofultraslimgastroscopyoftheuppergastrointestinaltractinpediatrics AT roselee mouthorthenosethepastpresentandfutureofultraslimgastroscopyoftheuppergastrointestinaltractinpediatrics AT alimencin mouthorthenosethepastpresentandfutureofultraslimgastroscopyoftheuppergastrointestinaltractinpediatrics AT matthewryan mouthorthenosethepastpresentandfutureofultraslimgastroscopyoftheuppergastrointestinaltractinpediatrics AT joelafriedlander mouthorthenosethepastpresentandfutureofultraslimgastroscopyoftheuppergastrointestinaltractinpediatrics AT michaelamanfredi mouthorthenosethepastpresentandfutureofultraslimgastroscopyoftheuppergastrointestinaltractinpediatrics |