Contents



Preface

As a physician working in the Department of Gastroenterology, I am very pleased to cooperate with IntechOpen to launch a book about the digestive system in January 2019. Through persistent efforts, a total of 9 chapters, which are authored by worldwide experts in the field of liver diseases, are included in this book entitled as "*Digestive System - Recent Advances*". The book is divided into 3 major sections: gastrointestinal duct, liver, and biliary system. In more detail, the book covers peptic ulcers, mid-gastrointestinal bleeding, gastrointestinal manifestations of IgA vasculitis, biomechanics of intestinal contractions, gallbladder carcinoma, ERCP for cholecysto-choledocholithiasis, and cystic artery variations and associated vascular complications in laparoscopic cholecystectomy and the evaluation of serum sodium change after terlipressin in cirrhosis. The knowledge presented in the book should be valuable for family physicians, internists, gastroenterologists, and hepatologists who are interested in digestive diseases to guide the clinical practice and management. This book should be also useful for patients and their relatives to

I am deeply indebted to the assistance from IntechOpen staff, including Andrea Koric (Commissioning Editor) and Lada Bozic (Author Service Manager). Also, I greatly appreciate the support from all chapter authors. Finally, I wish to dedicate

I am extremely pleased to work with IntechOpen to launch this book on the digestive system, with the section on the biliary system under my supervision. The chapters cover the variations, complications, and latest modifications in various topics of the biliary system. Some of the topics such as gallbladder carcinoma, ERCP for cholecysto-choledocholithiasis, and cystic artery variations and associated vascular complications in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, have been described keeping in mind the current practice and the recent advances in the field. The knowledge presented in this book should be valuable for young surgeons as a guide for the clinical

As an editor I have tried to ensure that the descriptions and techniques illustrated are representative of contemporary practice while keeping the information current

**Dr. Xingshun Qi**

China

Department of Gastroenterology,

General Hospital of Northern Theater Command,

better understand the digestive system.

this book to my wife Jun Liu.

practice and management.

and simple.
