SAGES Surgical Education (Fundamentals)
- The Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery Program (FLS)™ : In 2010, SAGES Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery™ or FLS –the nation’s first ever validated hands-on skills test for performing minimally invasive surgery – became a requirement for board certification by the American Board of Surgery (ABS), the national certifying body for general surgeons and related specialists. Since first offered in 2004, more than 13,000 general surgeons, gynecologists, urologists, and specialty surgeons have successfully completed the FLS examination. For more information, please visit www.flsprogram.org
- The Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery™: The Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery™ (FES), is also required by the ABS, and has been designed by SAGES to teach and evaluate the fundamental knowledge, clinical judgment and technical skills required in the performance of basic gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopic surgery (endoscopy). Both FES and FLS are required of graduating surgical residents in order to be eligible for board certification in general surgery. For more information on FES, please visit www.fesprogram.org.
- Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy™: SAGES recently launched the Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy™ (FUSE) program, designed to educate surgeons and affiliated staff about the safe use of surgical energy-based devices in the OR, endoscopy suite, and other procedural areas. The FUSE web-based didactic curriculum is available online, for free, at www.fusedidactic.org and covers topics such as principles of electrosurgical devices, integration of energy systems with other devices, and prevention of operating room fires. To learn more please go to www.fuseprogram.org.
Advocacy & Health Policy: SAGES Advocacy and Health Policy Committee is actively involved in a variety of issues affecting SAGES members including medical liability and expert witness. Most recently the committee has pursued gaining a code (CPT) and appropriate value (RUC) for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, with delivery of thermal energy to the lower esophageal sphincter and/or gastric cardia muscle (Stretta). Currently the committee is involved in similar efforts for several lap bariatric codes. For more information, please contact Shelley Ginsberg.
Exhibit Advisory Council: Comprised of member companies from industry, the Exhibit Advisory Council serves as a direct link between SAGES leadership and industry. General Membership meetings are attended by members of SAGES leadership and industry representatives large and small. For more information, please contact Shelley Ginsberg .
Research Grants: Every year SAGES awards research grants to select SAGES members. Grant recipients are announced at the Annual Meeting. Funded by industry support, SAGES gives on average between six to nine grants per year. Grant applications are generally available over the Summer, with the deadline to apply each Fall. For more information, please contact research@sages.org.
Top 21 Minimally Invasive Procedures Every Surgeon Should Know: Developed by the SAGES Educational Resources Committee and produced by Ciné-Med, the Top 21 project is a collection of the most common minimally invasive procedures performed by general surgeons, as determined by the SAGES Educational Resources Committee. It is an ideal training tool for Surgical Residents and Program Directors, each procedure is presented by an expert laparoscopic surgeon. The accompanying PDF commentaries offer additional insights, techniques and other viewpoints.To order the collection, please contact Ciné-Med at 800-515-1542 or visit www.cine-med.com.
SAGES Tips & Tricks of the Top 21: “SAGES Tips and Tricks of the Top 21”, a companion collection to the highly popular “Top 21 Procedures Every Practicing Surgeon Should Know.” While the original Top 21 covers the basic surgical techniques commonly encountered by surgeons, the new Tips and Tricks collection delves deeper into the commonly seen challenges faced by surgeons.
SAGES Pearls Project: The SAGES Pearls Project is a procedure specific instructional series, concentrating on different, important steps of a given procedure, offering instructions, tips, tricks and alternatives for these steps. These procedures include Nissen, Bariatric and Colorectal. The Nissen Pearl will be available for sale in time for the Annual Meeting. To order, please contact Ciné-Med at 800-515-1542 or visit www.cine-med.com.
SAGES Flexible Endoscopy 101: This introductory program presents basics of Upper GI Endoscopy and Colonoscopy. Videos are taken from the popular “SAGES Top 21 Procedures Every Practicing Surgeon Should Know.”
SCOPE and SAGES E-blasts: SCOPE, SAGES bi-annual electronic newsletter and ongoing SAGES E-blasts, provide updates on SAGES projects and activities, upcoming events and general news affecting the organization. To receive a copy of SCOPE, please contact (310) 437-0544 ext. 116. To subscribe to SAGES E-blasts, please contact SAGES for further information.
Guidelines:. SAGES has been at the forefront of best practices in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery by researching, developing and disseminating the guidelines and training for standards of practice in surgical procedures. Guidelines are developed under the auspices of the organization and its various committees, and approved by the Board of Governors. Each clinical practice guideline has been systematically researched, reviewed and revised by the Guidelines Committee and also evaluated by an appropriate multidisciplinary team. Guidelines are scheduled for periodic review to allow incorporation of pertinent new developments in medical research knowledge, and practice. SAGES Clinical Guidelines are available at www.sages.org/publications/guidelines/.
SAGES Patient Information Brochures: As a way to educate patients on certain laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures, the SAGES Educational Resources Committee has created several patient information brochures, written in both English and Spanish. To order, please visit www.sages.org.
SAGES Troubleshooting Guide: Double sided, laminated guide to hang in your OR to assist OR personnel when equipment problems arise.
SAGES Logo Products: From ties to t-shirts to hats, SAGES logo products are always in style. To purchase, please contact Marissa De Guzman for an order form.
The SAGES Manuals: These popular books are portable, concise, richly illustrated manuals from the pioneering society for minimally invasive surgery. They provide an authoritative synopsis of the major laparoscopic and flexible endoscopic procedures in easy-to-use, outline form. Step-by-step, the authors present the indications, patient preparation, operative techniques, and strategies for prevention and management of complications for a wide spectrum of both gold-standard and emerging procedures. The softcover, pocket-sized format makes it ideal for residents. To order a manual, please contact Spinger at 1-800-SPRINGER or visit https://www.springer-ny.com/.
Surgical Endoscopy: Surgical Endoscopy is SAGES official journal. To view articles on-line, visit https://www.springer-ny.com/
SAGES Committees: The SAGES committees work towards the goals of the society. The best way to get involved in SAGES is to volunteer for a committee (only members can serve on a committee). To do so, please complete this form.