Position Statement on Advanced Laparoscopic Training
Position Papers/Statements published on: 10/2003
by the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
SAGES POSITION STATEMENT ON ADVANCED LAPAROSCOPIC TRAINING
The Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) endorses the following concepts for training in laparoscopic surgery.
1) Laparoscopic operations comprise an integral component of general surgery.
2) Training of general surgeons in laparoscopic surgery should occur within the general surgery residency.
3) General surgical training should include a defined number of basic(1) laparoscopic operations.
4) Advanced laparoscopic operations(2) are a scarce commodity in most general surgical residency programs. General surgical training should include a defined number of advanced laparoscopic operations.
5) Program directors should be granted the flexibility to focus the residency experience in advanced laparoscopic surgery on those individuals who are committed to a career in general surgery.
(1) Basic laparoscopic surgery is comprised of: diagnostic laparoscopy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and laparoscopic appendectomy.
(2) Advanced laparoscopic surgery consists of all other laparoscopic operations.
This document was reviewed and approved by the Board of Governors of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), March 1997. It was prepared by an ad hoc task force on Residency Integration and revised in 2003. The Board of Governors approved the revised document October 2003.