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.
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Authors Geoffrey P. Kohn1,2, Ziad T. Awad3, Mazen R. Al‑Mansour4, Jennifer Salluzzo5, Emily Miraflor6, Uretz Oliphant7, Bethany J. Slater8 1 Department of Surgery, Monash University Eastern Health Clinical School, Melbourne, Australia 2 Melbourne Upper GI Surgical Group, Cabrini Hospital, Malvern, Australia 3 Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, USA 4 […]
This consensus document was created to lead international efforts in defining quality care for conditions related to the colon, rectum, and anus and develop clinical practice guidelines based on the best available evidence. Although not proscriptive, these guidelines provide information based on which decisions can be made and do not dictate a specific form of treatment and offer 25 recommendations. These guidelines are intended for use by all practitioners, health care workers, and patients who desire information on the management of the conditions addressed by the topics covered in these guidelines
AUTHORS Moustafa Abdalla1, Amelia T. Collings2, Rebecca Dirks2, Edwin Onkendi3, Daniel Nelson4, Ahmad Ozair7, Emily Miraflor5, Faique Rahman6, Jake Whiteside2, Mihir M Shah8, Subhashini Ayloo9, Ahmed Abou-Setta10, Iswanto Sucandy11, Ali Kchaou12, Samuel Douglas13, Patricio Polanco14, Timothy Vreeland15, Joseph Buell16, Mohammed T. Ansari17, Aurora D. Pryor18, Bethany J. Slater19, Ziad Awad20, William Richardson21, Adnan Alseidi22, D. […]
AUTHORS: Bethany J. Slater1, Amelia Collings2, Rebecca Dirks2, Jon C. Gould3, Alia P. Qureshi4, Ryan Juza5, María Rita Rodríguez-Luna6, Claire Wunker7, Geoffrey P. Kohn8, Shanu Kothari9, Elizabeth Carslon10, Stephanie Worrell11, Ahmed M. Abou-Setta12, Mohammed T. Ansari13, Dimitrios I. Athanasiadis2, Shaun Daly14, Francesca Dimou15, Ivy N. Haskins16, Julie Hong17, Kumar Krishnan18, Anne Lidor5, Virginia Litle19, Donald Low10, […]
Authors: Timothy J. Vreeland1*, Amelia T. Collings2*, Ahmad Ozair3 , Alexandra M. Adams1, Rebecca Dirks2, Bradley S. Kushner4, Iswanto Sucandy5, David Morrell6, Jake Whiteside2, Mohammed T. Ansari 7, Jordan Cloyd8, Sean P. Cleary9, Eugene Ceppa2, Ahmed M. Abou-Setta10, Adnan Alseidi11, Ziad Awad12, Subhashini Ayloo13, Joseph Buell14, Georgios Orthopoulos15, William Richardson16, Samer Sbayi17, Go Wakabayashi18, Horacio Asbun19, Bethany J. […]
Authors: Ahmad Ozair1*, Amelia Collings2*, Alexandra M. Adams3, Rebecca Dirks2, Bradley S. Kushner,4, Iswanto Sucandy5, David Morrell6, Ahmed M. Abou-Setta7, Timothy Vreeland3, Jake Whiteside2, Jordan M. Cloyd8, Mohammed T. Ansari9, Sean P. Cleary10, Eugene Ceppa2, William Richardson11, Adnan Alseidi12, Ziad Awad13, Subhashini Ayloo14, Joseph F. Buell15, Georgios Orthoupolus16, Samer Sbayi17, Go Wakabayashi18, Bethany J. Slater19, […]
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.
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, […]
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, […]
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, […]
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 […]
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.
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.
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 […]
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.
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.
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 […]
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
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.
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.
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.
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 […]
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 […]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) endorses the following concepts for training in laparoscopic surgery.
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.
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
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.
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.
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"
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.
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.
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.