In the past years

great changes have taken place in the treatment of digestive diseases. Open surgery has gradually been replaced by interventional techniques

including endoscopic interventional technique and endovascular interventional technique. Because of their advantages of minimal invasion

high repeatability

exact orientation

high curative effect and few systemic adverse reactions

the interventional techniques have received a broad interest and have been viewed as an alternative to surgery and medication. However

it should be kept in mind that the interventional techniques sometimes are difficult to operate and may cause serious complications as a result of premature deployment of these techniques. The purpose of this article is to review the application of interventional techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of digestive system diseases and bring forward some points worth noting in the process.