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Special Issue introduction:

The prevalence of foregut disorders is considerably increasing worldwide due

to heightened awareness and improved diagnostic techniques. Furthermore,
advancements in endoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures have led
to improved clinical outcomes, resulting in a growing interest in foregut surgery
globally. Nowadays, foregut surgery is well-established in the treatment of both
cancerous and benign conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, hiatal

hernia, achalasia, esophageal diverticula, and gastroesophageal cancer. The
collaborative efforts between gastroenterologists and surgeons, combined with
technological innovations, have played a crucial role in transforming the approach to

patient care, providing a common platform for informed decision-making in the best
interest of the patient.

This issue of Mini-invasive Surgery presents illustrative examples of how the
management of foregut disease has evolved over the past several years. Major

paradigm shifts include the reevaluation of the crural diaphragm as a key
contributor to the competence of the esophagogastric junction, increased emphasis
on early detection of Barrett’s esophagus, the discovery of the submucosal

endoluminal approach as an avenue to perform a peroral myotomy, and the
application of endoluminal vacuum therapy to treat anastomotic complications after
esophagectomy.
The esophagus is a deceptively simple organ, but the management of esophageal
disease remains complex and challenging. An open dialogue among dedicated

gastroenterologists and surgeons has tremendous potential to enhance clinical care
and further promote research. Therefore, centralization of care is deemed necessary
to provide a truly comprehensive, multispecialty, and coordinated patient-centered

approach.

We thank all the Authors for their dedication and contributions to this Special Issue
of Mini-invasive Surgery. We sincerely hope that the readers of the journal will find
great enjoyment in these papers.