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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Achalasia
- 2024 Update to SAGES Guidelines for the Use of Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) in the Treatment of Achalasia (February 2025)
- Guidelines for the Use of Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) for the Treatment of Achalasia (July 2020)
- Is Per-oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) More Effective than Pneumatic Dilation and Heller myotomy? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (July 2020)
Acute Colorectal Surgery
- EAES and SAGES 2018 Consensus Conference on Acute Diverticulitis Management: Evidence‑based Recommendations for Clinical Practice (June 2019)
- Clinical Spotlight Review: TransAnal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS) (June 2017)
- Guidelines for Laparoscopic Resection of Curable Colon and Rectal Cancer (February 2012)
Education / Training
- 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) (May 2018)
- Educational Implications for Surgical Telementoring: a Current Review with Recommendations for Future Practice, Policy, and Research (June 2017)
- Guidelines for the Introduction of New Technology and Techniques (August 2014)
- Guidelines for Training in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (July 2010)
- Curriculum Outline for Resident Education (April 2009)
Endoscopy
- Multisociety Role of Endoscopy in the Bariatric Surgery Patient (May 2014)
- Guidelines For Office Endoscopic Services (November 2008)
GERD
- Process for Quality Assessment Review of Societal Guidelines: An editorial to accompany “Multi‑Society Consensus Conference and Guideline on the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)” (August 2022)
- Multi-Society Consensus Conference and Guideline on the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) (July 2022)
- Guidelines for the Surgical Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD) (April 2021)
- Surgical Treatment of GERD: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (November 2020)
Hernia
- Guidelines for the Surgical Treatment of Hiatal Hernias (April 2024)
- Management of Symptomatic, Asymptomatic, and Recurrent Hiatal Hernia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (January 2024)
- Guidelines for Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair (June 2016)
HPB / Solid Organ
- SAGES-AHPBA 2025 Guideline for the Surgical Management of Bile Duct Injury Following Cholecystectomy (September 2025)
- SAGES-AHPBA 2025: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Surgical Management of Major Bile Duct Injury following Cholecystectomy (September 2025)
- Guidelines for the Use of Intraoperative Imaging of the Common Bile Duct (February 2025)
- Intraoperative Imaging of the Common Bile Duct: A Systematic Review (February 2025)
- Guidelines for the Performance of Minimally Invasive Splenectomy (November 2024)
- SAGES/AHPBA Guidelines for the Use of Minimally Invasive Surgery for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Liver Metastases (CRLM) (May 2022)
- Minimally Invasive versus Open Hepatectomy for the Resection of Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (May 2022)
- Safe Cholecystectomy Multi-Society Practice Guideline and State of the Art Consensus Conference on Prevention of Bile Duct Injury during Cholecystectomy (May 2020)
- Clinical Spotlight Review: Management of Choledocholithiasis (February 2020)
- Clinical Spotlight Review: Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration (December 2017)
- Clinical Spotlight Review: Intraoperative Cholangiography (December 2016)
- Guidelines for the Minimally Invasive Treatment of Adrenal Pathology (February 2013)
- Guidelines for the Clinical Application of Laparoscopic Biliary Tract Surgery (January 2010)
Metabolic / Bariatric
- Guidelines for the Management of Comorbidities Relevant to Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (October 2024)
- Bariatric Surgery and Relevant Comorbidities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (October 2024)
- Updated Panel Report: Best Practices for the Surgical Treatment of Obesity (February 2018)
- Guidelines for Clinical Application of Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery (June 2008)
Minimally Invasive Surgery
- 2025 Guidelines for Fluorescence Image-guided Surgery Using Indocyanine Green in Gastrointestinal Procedures (September 2025)
- 2025 Systematic Review and Meta-analysis for Fluorescence Image-guided Gastrointestinal Surgery using Indocyanine Green (September 2025)
- Guidelines Update to Laparoscopy in the Era of COVID-19 (October 2024)
- EAES/SAGES Evidence-Based Recommendations and Expert Consensus on Optimization of Perioperative Care in Older Adults (April 2024)
- Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Appendicitis (November 2023)
- Guidelines for the Use of Laparoscopy During Pregnancy (September 2023)
- Peritoneal Dialysis Access Guideline Update 2023 (August 2023)
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Appendicitis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (July 2023)
- SAGES/AHPBA Guidelines for the Use of Microwave and Radiofrequency Liver Ablation for the Surgical Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma or Colorectal Liver Metastases less than 5 cm (November 2022)
- Surgical approach to microwave and radiofrequency liver ablation or hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal liver metastases less than 5 cm: a systematic review and meta-analysis (July 2022)
- 2022 Guidance Statement Regarding the Use of Laparoscopy in the Era of COVID-19 (January 2022)
- Guidelines for the Use of Laparoscopy during Pregnancy (May 2017)
- VTE Prophylaxis for Laparoscopic Surgery Guidelines: An Update (March 2017)
- Guidelines for Laparoscopic Peritoneal Dialysis Access Surgery (June 2014)
- Guidelines for Diagnostic Laparoscopy (April 2010)
- Guidelines for the Use of Laparoscopic Ultrasound (March 2009)
- SAGES/MIRA Consensus Document on Robotic Surgery (November 2007)
Position Papers / Statements
- Statement on Continuous Certification (April 2018)
- Ethical Considerations Regarding the Implementation of New Technologies and Techniques in Surgery (October 2014)
- Educational Mission Statement (April 2011)
- Position Statement on Advanced Laparoscopic Training (October 2010)
- Statement on the Relationship Between Professional Medical Associations and Industry (February 2010)
- Position Statement on Endolumenal Therapies for Gastrointestinal Diseases (November 2009)
- Integrating Advanced Laparoscopy into Surgical Residency Training — A SAGES Position Paper (April 2009)
Privileging / Credentialing Guidelines
- Guidelines for Privileging and Credentialing Physicians in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (June 2016)
- Joint Task Force Recommendations for Credentialing of Bariatric Surgeons (April 2013)
- Guidelines for Granting of Ultrasonography Privileges for Surgeons (January 2011)
- Guidelines for Institutions Granting Privileges Utilizing Laparoscopic and/or Thoracoscopic Techniques (July 2010)
- Guidelines for Institutions Granting Bariatric Privileges Utilizing Laparoscopic Techniques (July 2009)
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
- Dissemination of Surgical Clinical Practice Guidelines – Evaluating SAGES’ Strategies for Distribution (March 2025)
- SAGES Guidelines Development: Patient Engagement Update to Standard Operating Procedure (October 2024)
- SAGES Guidelines Development: Clinical Practice Guideline Update Standard Operating Procedure (October 2024)
- SAGES Guidelines Development: Health Equity Update to Standard Operating Procedure (October 2023)
- SAGES Guidelines Development: Standard Operating Procedure (February 2021)