Closing Remarks

There is no doubt that the content of this special issue of the journal represents an extremely important contribution to answering the following questions:

Which areas of endoscopy require quality assurance?

What methodology should be employed?

What further action is required?

The Lausanne Conference was organized to define and investigate the appropriateness of upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy throughout Europe. The meeting was organized using a panel-based method (Rand method). Fourteen experts coming from nine different European countries discussed and produced the criteria for gastroscopy and colonoscopy and also defined the criteria of necessity, allowing the measurement of underutilization of endoscopic procedures.

The result of this European panel discussion is reported in this issue of Endoscopy and I would like to congratulate all the people involved in realizing such a great project which will be a “milestone” for gastroenterologists and for endoscopists.

Among the various activities, the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) has appointed a Guidelines Committee and, of course, the results of its work will be helpful in defining the most appropriate use of digestive endoscopy.

On behalf of the ESGE Governing Board, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Lausanne Team.

Alberto Montori, M.D. ESGE President

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