• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

SAGES

Reimagining surgical care for a healthier world

  • Home
    • COVID-19 Annoucements
    • Search
    • SAGES Home
    • SAGES Foundation Home
  • About
    • Who is SAGES?
    • SAGES Mission Statement
    • Strategic Plan, 2020-2023
    • Committees
      • Request to Join a SAGES Committee
      • SAGES Board of Governors
      • Officers and Representatives of the Society
      • Committee Chairs and Co-Chairs
      • Full Committee Rosters
      • SAGES Past Presidents
    • Donate to the SAGES Foundation
    • Awards
      • George Berci Award
      • Pioneer in Surgical Endoscopy
      • Excellence In Clinical Care
      • International Ambassador
      • IRCAD Visiting Fellowship
      • Social Justice and Health Equity
      • Excellence in Community Surgery
      • Distinguished Service
      • Early Career Researcher
      • Researcher in Training
      • Jeff Ponsky Master Educator
      • Excellence in Medical Leadership
      • Barbara Berci Memorial Award
      • Brandeis Scholarship
      • Advocacy Summit
      • RAFT Annual Meeting Abstract Contest and Awards
  • Meetings
    • 2022 NBT Innovation Weekend
    • SAGES Annual Meeting
      • 2023 Scientific Session Call For Abstracts
      • 2023 Emerging Technology Call For Abstracts
    • SAGES 2021 Annual Meeting
    • CME Claim Form
    • Industry
      • Advertising Opportunities
      • Exhibit Opportunities
      • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Future Meetings
    • Past Meetings
      • SAGES 2021
      • SAGES 2020
      • SAGES 2019
      • SAGES 2018
    • Related Meetings Calendar
  • Join SAGES!
    • Membership Benefits
    • Membership Applications
      • Active Membership
      • Affiliate Membership
      • Associate Active Membership
      • Candidate Membership
      • International Membership
      • Medical Student Membership
    • Member News
      • Member Spotlight
      • Give the Gift of SAGES Membership
  • Patients
    • Healthy Sooner – Patient Information for Minimally Invasive Surgery
    • Patient Information Brochures
    • Choosing Wisely – An Initiative of the ABIM Foundation
    • All in the Recovery: Colorectal Cancer Alliance
    • Find a SAGES Member
  • Publications
    • SAGES Stories Podcast
    • SAGES Clinical / Practice / Training Guidelines, Statements, and Standards of Practice
    • Patient Information Brochures
    • TAVAC – Technology and Value Assessments
    • Surgical Endoscopy and Other Journal Information
    • SAGES Manuals
    • SCOPE – The SAGES Newsletter
    • COVID-19 Annoucements
    • Troubleshooting Guides
  • Education
    • OpiVoid.org
    • SAGES.TV Video Library
    • Safe Cholecystectomy Program
      • Safe Cholecystectomy Didactic Modules
    • Masters Program
      • SAGES Facebook Program Collaboratives
      • Acute Care Surgery
      • Bariatric
      • Biliary
      • Colorectal
      • Flexible Endoscopy (upper or lower)
      • Foregut
      • Hernia
      • Robotics
    • Educational Opportunities
    • HPB/Solid Organ Program
    • Courses for Residents
      • Advanced Courses
      • Basic Courses
    • Video Based Assessments (VBA)
    • Robotics Fellows Course
    • MIS Fellows Course
    • Facebook Livestreams
    • Free Webinars For Residents
    • SMART Enhanced Recovery Program
    • SAGES OR SAFETY Video
    • SAGES at Cine-Med
      • SAGES Top 21 MIS Procedures
      • SAGES Pearls
      • SAGES Flexible Endoscopy 101
      • SAGES Tips & Tricks of the Top 21
  • Opportunities
    • SAGES Fellowship Certification for Advanced GI MIS and Comprehensive Flexible Endoscopy
    • Foregut Fellowship Certification
    • SAGES Research Opportunities
    • Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery
    • Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery
    • Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy
    • Job Board
    • SAGES Go Global: Global Affairs and Humanitarian Efforts
  • Search
    • Search All SAGES Content
    • Search SAGES Guidelines
    • Search the Video Library
    • Search the Image Library
    • Search the Abstracts Archive
  • Blog
    • COVID-19
    • Notes from the Battlefield
    • A (Positive) Way Forward
    • President Posts
    • All Blog Posts
  • Log In

Guidelines Search

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.

Our guidelines search engine is below. You may also browse the list of published guidelines.

Minimally Invasive versus Open Hepatectomy for the Resection of Colorectal Liver Metastases: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

You must be a SAGES Member and logged in to view this content. Please login now.


Proposed - Guidelines for the Use of Minimally Invasive or Open Liver Resection for Isolated Colorectal Liver Metastases

You must be a SAGES Member to review and comment on this document. Please login now.


2022 Guidance Statement Regarding the Use of Laparoscopy in the Era of COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 has changed global healthcare since the pandemic began in 2020. The threat of the transmission of this virus to healthcare staff, specifically operating room personnel, is still being actively studied. The safety of minimally invasive surgery utilizing insufflation has not been looked at from the standpoint of safety to the operating room personnel. The aims of this guideline are to examine the existing evidence in order to provide guidance regarding minimally invasive surgery for the patient with, or suspecting of having, the SARS-CoV-2 as well as the healthcare team involved.


Guidelines for the Performance of Minimally Invasive Splenectomy

AUTHORS Tammy L. Kindel MD, PhD1, Rebecca C. Dirks MD, MS2, Amelia T. Collings MD2, Stefan Scholz MD3, Ahmed M. Abou-Setta MD, PhD,4, Vamsi V. Alli MD5, Mohammed T. Ansari MD, MMedSc, MPhil6, Ziad Awad MD7, Joseph Broucek MD8, Andre Campbell MD9, Michael W. Cripps MD10, Celeste Hollands MD11, Robert Lim MD12, Francisco Quinteros MD13, […]


Guidelines for the Surgical Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)

AUTHORS: Bethany J. Slater, MD, MBA1, Rebecca C. Dirks, MD, MS2, Sophia K. McKinley, MD3, Mohammed T. Ansari, MD, MMedSC, MPhil 4, Geoffrey P. Kohn, MBBS5,6, Nirav Thosani, MD7, Bashar Qumseya, MD, MPH8, Sarah Billmeier, MD9, Shaun Daly, MD10, Catherine Crawford, MD11, Anne P. Ehlers, MD, MPH12, Celeste Hollands, MD13, Francesco Palazzo, MD14, Noe Rodriguez, MD15, […]


Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Guidelines Development: Standard Operating Procedure

Amelia T. Rogers, MD1, Rebecca Dirks, MD, MS1, Holly Ann Burt, MLIS2, Stephen Haggerty3, Geoffrey P. Kohn, MBBS, MSurg4,5, Bethany J. Slater MD, MBA6, Danielle Walsh, MD7, Dimitrios Stefanidis, MD, PhD1, Aurora Pryor, MD, MBA8 1Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA 2Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), Los Angeles, […]


Surgical Treatment of GERD: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Authors: Sophia K. McKinley1, Rebecca C. Dirks2, Danielle Walsh3, Celeste Hollands4, Lauren E. Arthur3, Noe Rodriguez5, Joyce Jhang6, Ahmed Abou-Setta7, Aurora Pryor8, Dimitrios Stefanidis2, Bethany J. Slater9 Affiliations: 1 – Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 2 – Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA 3 – Department […]


Multisociety Guideline on Reprocessing Flexible GI Endoscopes and Accessories

Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is highly effective for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of many digestive diseases. Endoscopes used in endoscopy are complex, diverse, and essential devices that require meticulous cleaning and reprocessing in strict accordance with manufacturer guidelines before being reused on patients.


Guidelines for the Use of Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) for the Treatment of Achalasia

Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) is increasingly used as primary treatment for esophageal achalasia, in place of the options such as Heller myotomy (HM) and Pneumatic Dilatation (PD) These evidence-based guidelines from the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) intend to support clinicians, patients and others in decisions about the use of POEM for treatment of achalasia.


Is Per-oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) More Effective than Pneumatic Dilation and Heller myotomy? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Authors Rebecca C. Dirks1, MD, MS; Geoffrey P. Kohn2, MBBS, MSurg; Bethany Slater3, MD, MBA; Jake Whiteside1, BS; Noe A. Rodriguez4, MD; Salvatore Docimo5, DO, MS; Aurora Pryor5, MD, MBA; Dimitrios Stefanidis1, MD, PhD; On behalf of the SAGES guidelines committee Affiliations: Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA Department of […]


Safe Cholecystectomy Multi-Society Practice Guideline and State of the Art Consensus Conference on Prevention of Bile Duct Injury during Cholecystectomy

Bile duct injury (BDI) is the most common serious complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Evidence-based recommendations from a multi-society consensus conference on prevention of BDI are presented that have the potential to reduce this complication and positively impact patient outcomes.


Clinical Spotlight Review: Management of Choledocholithiasis

Choledocholithiasis is a common presentation of symptomatic cholelithiasis that can result in biliary obstruction, cholangitis, and pancreatitis. A systematic English literature search was conducted in PubMed to determine the appropriate management strategies for choledocholithiasis.The following clinical spotlight review is meant to critically review the available evidence and provide recommendations for the work-up, investigations as well as the endoscopic, surgical and percutaneous techniques in the management of choledocholithiasis.


EAES and SAGES 2018 Consensus Conference on Acute Diverticulitis Management: Evidence‑based Recommendations for Clinical Practice

Nader K. Francis · Patricia Sylla · Maria Abou‑Khalil · Simone Arolfo · David Berler · Nathan J. Curtis · Scott C. Dolejs · Richard Garfinkle · Marguerite Gorter‑Stam · Daniel A. Hashimoto · Taryn E. Hassinger · Charlotte J. L. Molenaar10 · Philip H. Pucher · Valérie Schuermans · Alberto Arezzo · Ferdinando Agresta […]


Top Down or Bottom Up? Longitudinal assessment of the influence of professional practice gaps in gastrointestinal and endoscopic surgery on program content for the Annual Meeting of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) 2011-2016: A report from the SAGES Continuing Education Committee (CEC)

The SAGES Continuing Education Committee has developed an effective means for identifying gaps in learners’ knowledge, competency, and performance through direct survey of Annual Meeting attendees. These reports have revealed consistent patterns related to perceived gaps and topics of interest among Annual Meeting attendees, including learners’ consistent identification of four common topics as foci of interest: bariatric surgery, colon and rectal diseases, surgery of the foregut, and hernia repair


Statement on Continuous Certification

The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) would like to add its voice to the other surgical organizations who support the concept of continuous certification for surgeons and strongly argues against movements to initiate legislation prohibiting MOC/CC.


Updated Panel Report: Best Practices for the Surgical Treatment of Obesity

During the 2004 annual meeting of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), a panel of experts convened to provide updated information on best practices in bariatric surgery. The rapid evolution of endoluminal technologies, surgical indications, and training in bariatric surgery since 2004 has led to new questions and concerns about optimal treatment algorithms, patient selection, and the preparation of our current and future bariatric workforce.


Clinical Spotlight Review: Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration

The following clinical spotlight review regarding the laparoscopic treatment of common bile duct stones is intended for physicians who manage and treat gallbladder disease and choledocholithiasis. It is meant to critically review these techniques and the available evidence regarding their safety and efficacy. Provided recommendations for clinical practice are linked to the level of available evidence, and where evidence is lacking expert opinion is offered.


ASCRS/SAGES Guidelines for Enhanced Recovery After Colon and Rectal Surgery

Contemporary colorectal surgery is often associated with long length of stay (8 days for open surgery and 5 days for laparoscopic surgery), high cost, and rates of surgical site infection approaching 20%. During the hospital stay for elective colorectal surgery, the incidence of perioperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) may be as high as 80% in patients with certain risk factors. After discharge from colorectal surgery, readmission rates have been noted as high as 35.4%. An enhanced recovery protocol (ERP) is a set of standardized perioperative procedures and practices that is applied to all patients undergoing a given elective surgery. In general, these protocols are not intended for emergent cases, but components of them certainly could apply to the emergent/urgent patient. Also known as fast-track protocols or enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols, the content of these specific protocols may vary significantly, but all are designed as a means to improve patient outcomes. Outcomes of interest to patients and providers include freedom from nausea, freedom from pain at rest, early return of bowel function, improved wound healing, and early hospital discharge. Although numerous perioperative protocols currently exist, this clinical practice guideline will evaluate the strength of evidence in support of measures to improve patient recovery after elective colon and rectal resections.


Educational Implications for Surgical Telementoring: a Current Review with Recommendations for Future Practice, Policy, and Research

M. Augestad • H. Han • J. Paige • T. Ponsky • C. M. Schlachta • Dunkin • J. Mellinger Received: 6 June 2017 / Accepted: 20 June 2017 / Published online: 27 June 2017 Abstract Background: Surgical telementoring (ST) was introduced in the sixties, promoting videoconferencing to enhance surgical education across large distances. Widespread […]


Clinical Spotlight Review: TransAnal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS)

Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) is a technique that was originally devised as a hybrid between Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM) and single-site laparoscopy for resection of rectal lesions. It was developed out of the need for a practical alternative to TEM that was both affordable and technically feasible without specialized equipment.


Guidelines for the Use of Laparoscopy during Pregnancy

This document provides specific recommendations and guidelines to assist physicians in the diagnostic work-up and treatment of surgical problems in pregnant patients, focusing on the use of laparoscopy. Surgical interventions during pregnancy should minimize fetal risk without comprising the safety of the mother.


Clinical Spotlight Review: Endoluminal Treatments for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

The following clinical spotlight review regarding the endoluminal treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease is intended for physicians who manage and treat GERD. It is meant to critically review these techniques and the available evidence supporting their safety and efficacy. Based on the level of evidence, recommendations may or may not be given for their use in clinical practice.


VTE Prophylaxis for Laparoscopic Surgery Guidelines: An Update

Since the publication of the SAGES guidelines for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis during laparoscopic surgery in 2007 (1), the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) has published their comprehensive guidelines that address VTE prophylaxis for non-orthopedic surgery patients (2). After careful review, the SAGES guidelines committee has approved the endorsement of the ACCP guidelines rather than update our previous VTE guidelines.


Clinical Spotlight Review: Intraoperative Cholangiography

This clinical spotlight review regarding the intraoperative cholangiogram is intended for physicians who manage and treat gallbladder/biliary pathology and perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy. It is meant to critically review the technique of intraoperative cholangiography, alternatives for intraoperative biliary imaging, and the available evidence supporting their safety and efficacy


Framework for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Courses for Practicing Surgeons: The New SAGES Course Endorsement System

The Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) recognizes that the discipline of surgery is dynamic and continues to evolve. Modifications of standard surgical procedures and completely new procedures are usually introduced gradually into clinical practice, a process that may require special training or privileges. Additional training will often be required to integrate techniques or procedures that are new to the individual surgeon. The same is also true for procedures that represent a substantial change in existing methods or practices or that require familiarity with new technology. The purpose of this document is to provide guidelines for course directors who plan to design educational activities for continuing professional development (CPD) of practicing surgeons. Additionally, it provides guidance regarding requirements for SAGES endorsement of such courses.


Guidelines for Privileging and Credentialing Physicians in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

These guidelines are intended to assist and provide practical guidance to hospital, ambulatory facility or other credentialing committees in their task of granting privileges for flexible gastrointestinal endoscopy. Privileging in flexible gastrointestinal endoscopy should be based on demonstration of competency in these techniques.


Guidelines for Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair

The goals of ventral hernia repair are relief of patient symptoms and/or cure of the hernia with minimization of recurrence rates. While laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) has gained popularity in recent years, there is still significant controversy about the optimal approach to ventral hernia repair. This document has been written to assist surgeons utilizing a laparoscopic approach to ventral hernia repair in terms of patient selection, operative technique, and postoperative care. It is not intended to debate the merits of prosthetic use or specific types of prosthetics.


Joint Task Force Recommendations for Credentialing of Bariatric Surgeons

The field of bariatric surgery continues to grow, attracting surgeons with expertise in laparoscopic, gastrointestinal, and bariatric surgery. With the implicit goal of ensuring that surgeons have met minimum criteria to safely perform bariatric surgery, 3 national surgery associations — American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), American College of Surgeons (ACS), and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) — independently created credentialing guidelines to guide hospitals and institutions in the credentialing process for bariatric surgery. The guidelines were thoughtfully written to assist local credentialing committees in the evaluation of an applicant’s qualifications and were not developed to become a standard of care.


Ethical Considerations Regarding the Implementation of New Technologies and Techniques in Surgery

Ethical considerations relevant to the implementation of new surgical technologies and techniques include the following: (1) How is the safety of a new technology or technique ensured?; (2) What are the timing and process by which a new technology or technique is implemented at a hospital?; (3) How are patients informed before undergoing a new technology or technique?; (4) How are surgeons trained and credentialed in a new technology or technique?; (5) How are the outcomes of a new technology or technique tracked and evaluated?; and (6) How are the responsibilities to individual patients and society at large balanced? The following discussion is presented with the intent of encouraging thought and dialogue about ethical considerations relevant to the implementation of new technologies and new techniques in surgery.


Guidelines for the Introduction of New Technology and Techniques

These guidelines for the surgical introduction of new technologies and techniques are systematically developed statements designed to assist surgeons when making decisions about the appropriate adoption of modified or new devices and procedures in their practice.


Guidelines for Laparoscopic Peritoneal Dialysis Access Surgery

The use of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) as a primary mode of renal replacement therapy has been increasing around the world. The surgeon’s role in caring for these patients is to provide access to the peritoneal cavity via a peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter and to diagnose and treat catheter complications. Since the early 1990s laparoscopy has been applied by many adult and pediatric surgeons for insertion of PD catheters as well as for salvage of malfunctioning catheters. This document is an evidence based guideline based on a review of current literature and the opinions of experts in the field. It provides specific recommendations to assist surgeons who take care of adult and pediatric peritoneal dialysis patients.


Multisociety Role of Endoscopy in the Bariatric Surgery Patient

This document was developed by the ASGE Standards of Practice Committee and reviewed and approved by the governing boards of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. This is one of a series of statements discussing the use of […]


Guidelines for the Management of Hiatal Hernia

The guidelines for the management of hiatal hernia are a series of systematically developed statements to assist physicians’ and patients’ decisions about the appropriate use of laparoscopic surgery for hiatal hernia. The statements included in this guideline are the product of a systematic review of published literature on the topic, and the recommendations are explicitly linked to the supporting evidence. The strengths and weaknesses of the available evidence are highlighted and expert opin­ion sought where the evidence is lacking.


Guidelines for the Minimally Invasive Treatment of Adrenal Pathology

The guidelines for the minimally invasive surgical treatment of adrenal pathology are a series of systematically developed statements to educate and guide the surgeon (and patient) in the appropriate use of minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of adrenal disease. It addresses the indications, risks, benefits, outcomes, alternatives, and controversies of the procedures used in specific clinical circumstances. The statements included in this guideline are the product of a systematic review of published work on the topic, and the recommendations are explicitly linked to the supporting evidence. The strengths and weaknesses of the available evidence are highlighted, and expert opinion is sought where published evidence lacks depth.


Guidelines for Laparoscopic Resection of Curable Colon and Rectal Cancer

The following recommendations regarding the safe performance of laparoscopic resection for curable colon and rectal cancer are intended for surgeons experienced in both minimally invasive surgery and the surgical treatment of patients with colon and rectal cancer. This document will not address the endoscopic screening or surveillance for colorectal cancer. SAGES and the ASCRS have previously published a joint statement regarding the credentialing process. SAGES also has published guidelines that specifically address credentialing surgeons for laparoscopic procedures in general.


Guidelines for the Surgical Treatment of Esophageal Achalasia

The guidelines for the surgical treatment of esophageal achalasia are a series of systematically developed statements to assist surgeon (and patient) decisions about the appropriate use of minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of achalasia in specific clinical circumstances. It addresses the indications, risks, benefits, outcomes, alternatives, and controversies of the procedures used in treating this condition. The statements included in this guideline are the product of a systematic review of published work on the topic, and the recommendations are explicitly linked to the supporting evidence. The strengths and weaknesses of the available evidence are highlighted, and expert opinion is sought where published evidence lacks depth.


Educational Mission Statement

SAGES (The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons) will provide quality education in the cognitive and technical aspects of minimally invasive gastrointestinal and endoscopic surgery to fulfill the continuing medical education and maintenance-of-certification needs of its members.


Guidelines for Granting of Ultrasonography Privileges for Surgeons

The Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) recommends the following guidelines for privileging qualified surgeons in the performance of ultrasound (transabominal, laparoscopic, endoscopic, thoracoscopic surgery, and endovascular). The basic premise is that the surgeon(s) must have the judgment and training to perform ultrasonography safely and accurately interpret the findings.


Position Statement on Advanced Laparoscopic Training

The Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) endorses the following concepts for training in laparoscopic surgery.


Guidelines for Training in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

Training in diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP should only be sought by individuals with interest and training in the treatment of hepatopancreaticobiliary disease. Surgeons seeking training in ERCP should anticipate performing adequate numbers of procedures to maintain proficiency, and remain committed to advancing their skills in this continually evolving procedure.


Guidelines for Institutions Granting Privileges Utilizing Laparoscopic and/or Thoracoscopic Techniques

The Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) recommends the following guidelines for privileging qualified surgeons in the performance of surgical procedures utilizing laparoscopy and/or thoracoscopy alone, or in a hybrid fashion with hand or robotic assistance. The basic premise is that the surgeon(s) must have the judgment and training to safely complete the procedure as intended, as well as have the capability of immediately proceeding to a traditional open procedure when circumstances so indicate. As a basic premise, surgical privileging should be based on training, surgical board certification, and ongoing practice experience


Guidelines for Diagnostic Laparoscopy

These diagnostic laparoscopy guidelines are a series of systematically developed statements to assist surgeons’ (and patients’) decisions about the appropriate use of diagnostic laparoscopy (DL) in specific clinical circumstances. The statements included in this guideline are the product of a systematic review of published work on the topic, and the recommendations are explicitly linked to the supporting evidence. The strengths and weaknesses of the available evidence are described and expert opinion sought where the evidence is lacking. This is an update of previous guidelines on this topic (SAGES publication #0012; last revision 2002) as new information has accumulated.


Statement on the Relationship Between Professional Medical Associations and Industry

Congress and others have called into question the propriety of professional medical associations (PMAs) and industry relationships. These relationships are critical to the continued development of new and better surgical devices and procedures for patients. Moreover, PMAs should work with industry in defined ways to educate physicians about new procedures and devices. Clear guidelines are needed to help structure these relationships.


Guidelines for the Clinical Application of Laparoscopic Biliary Tract Surgery

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the standard of care for patients requiring the removal of the gallbladder. In 1992, an NIH consensus development conference concluded "laparoscopic cholecystectomy provides a safe and effective treatment for most patients with symptomatic gallstones, laparoscopic cholecystectomy appears to have become the procedure of choice for many of these patients"


Position Statement on Endolumenal Therapies for Gastrointestinal Diseases

SAGES fully endorses the evolution of new treatments for gastrointestinal conditions that provide patients a faster recovery from their procedures while at the same time providing high quality outcomes. This document addresses the rationale for endolumenal therapies, considers the provider qualifications needed to perform these procedures, and discusses the issues of reimbursement and future directions.


Guidelines for Institutions Granting Bariatric Privileges Utilizing Laparoscopic Techniques

The Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) recommends the following guidelines for privileging qualified surgeons in the performance of laparoscopic bariatric surgical procedures. The basic premise is that the surgeon must have the judgment and training to safely complete the procedure as intended, as well as have the capability of immediately proceeding to a traditional open procedure when circumstances so indicate. Moreover this assumes the surgeon practices as part of a bariatric team to provide adequate preoperative care and long term follow up.


Curriculum Outline for Resident Education

The following outline has been compiled by the SAGES Resident Education Committee and is meant to serve as a guideline for objectives to be met for a thorough resident education in the areas of flexible gastrointestinal endoscopy and in laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery.


Integrating Advanced Laparoscopy into Surgical Residency Training -- A SAGES Position Paper

Laparoscopic techniques have become an integral part of the operative management in virtually every realm of general surgery. The Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) is dedicated to the advancement of training in minimal access surgery to ensure the safe performance of such operations. The purpose of this document is to foster the integration of advanced laparoscopic surgical training into the curriculum of the general surgery residency.


Guidelines for Laparoscopic Appendectomy

I. Preamble The laparoscopic approach to appendectomy has gained wide acceptance over the last 15 years as a means of improved diagnostic accuracy and wound complication rate over the open procedure. Despite a breadth of data and widespread adoption of the technique, there continues to be controversy regarding the advantages of this approach in hastening […]


Guidelines for the Use of Laparoscopic Ultrasound

The use of ultrasound in the operating room by surgeons is increasing, and the indications and use of ultrasound by laparoscopists and endoscopists are evolving. These guidelines are intended to provide current recommendations in the use and benefits of laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS) for the surgeon. They are not intended to show the only uses and applications but rather ones where data are available to make a recommendation. Recommendations are based on the current medical evidence and are graded according to that evidence.


Contact SAGES

Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
11300 W. Olympic Blvd Suite 600
Los Angeles, CA 90064 USA
[email protected]
Tel: (310) 437-0544

Find Us Around the Web!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Important Links

SAGES 2022 Meeting Information

Healthy Sooner: Patient Information

SAGES Guidelines, Statements, & Standards of Practice

SAGES Manuals

 

  • taTME Study Info
  • Foundation
  • SAGES.TV
  • MyCME
  • Educational Activities

Copyright © 2022 Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons