ACS and SAGES Recommend FLS Certification for General Surgeons Who Perform Laparoscopy

The only validated measure of surgeon’s knowledge and skills related to the most widely performed surgeries in the world.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) March 09, 2012 –

The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) and the American College of Surgeons (ACS) today announced the recommendation that all surgeons practicing laparoscopic surgery be certified through The Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery™ Program (FLS). FLS is the only validated, objective measure of a surgeon’s fundamental knowledge and skills related to laparoscopic surgical procedures.

With more than one million minimally invasive surgeries performed annually, SAGES and ACS also recommend that institutions credentialing surgeons to perform laparoscopic surgery consider FLS certification as a requirement of their credentialing process.

“This statement by SAGES and the American College of Surgeons reflects the high quality of the educational content and the value of validated metrics that this program provides to surgeons who perform laparoscopic surgery,” said Dr. Steven Schwaitzberg, SAGES President. “Even experienced surgeons will find opportunities to improve their skills and cognitive knowledge by completing FLS.”

FLS was developed to ensure that every surgeon practicing laparoscopic surgery has the minimum knowledge, judgment, and technical skills that form the basis for safe performance of these procedures. FLS was designed to be independent of specialty area and procedure type. The goal of the curriculum is to provide a strong foundation for practice.

Beginning with the 2009-10 academic year, the American Board of Surgery (ABS) required that all general surgery residents successfully complete the FLS exam to be eligible to take the ABS Qualifying Exam in Surgery.

FLS was modeled after the American College of Surgeons Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) program with a didactic and hands-on component. One of the unique features of the FLS program is the robust evaluation for both the didactic and psychomotor skills consistent with the standards for high-stakes examination.

The joint statement on completion of FLS can be viewed online, please click here. It will be published in the May issue of the Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons.

About SAGES

SAGES, Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, is a nonprofit organization of surgeons founded in 1981 and is a worldwide community of surgeons who bring minimal access surgery, endoscopy, and emerging techniques to patients in every country. SAGES’ mission is to provide leadership in surgery, particularly gastrointestinal and endoscopic surgery, to optimize patient care through education, research, and innovation.

About the American College of Surgeons

The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and to improve the care of the surgical patient. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 78,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world.

About The Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery™  Launched in 2004,

FLS is the first surgical assessment tool to be mandated by the American Board of Surgery in order to set the standard for safe laparoscopic surgery.

To read the online version of this press release please click here

This change was made to provide customers with enhanced customer service, more rapid fulfillment of orders, and for the first time, the ability to purchase online using a secure e-commerce system. The FLS Training Simulators, accessories and supplies will be sold exclusively by VTI Medical™, a division of Venture Technologies, Inc.

To order FLS Training Simulators, accessories and supplies visit www.vtimedical.com or call VTI Medical directly at 978-667-9890. For FLS Educational Packages, online access and testing vouchers, continue to order through SAGES at www.flsprogram.org , or call 310-437-0544, ext. 137.

The first new product to be announced from the collaboration of SAGES and VTI Medical will be a non-medical-grade Multi-Use Ligating Loop for use with the FLS Training Simulator for manual skills practice. In response to FLS user feedback about the high cost of pre-tied ligating loops, which are constructed for single use only, the sturdy construction of the new Multi-Use Ligating Loop enables it to be used up to 10 times to practice the FLS Ligating Loop Task. Unlike the pre-tied ligating loops now widely used for skills practice, which are sterile and designed for clinical use, this new product is non-sterile and designed for simulation training and not medical use, which also contributes to a lower purchase price.

The Multi-Use Ligating Loop will be available in late spring 2012, but pre-orders may be placed beginning March 1, 2012. To take advantage of special introductory pricing, visit www.vtimedical.com or call 978-495-3524. Special pricing will be available for a limited time.

CAGS Endorsement Statement of the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) Program

“The Canadian Association of General Surgeons supports and endorses the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) Program, which is a comprehensive web-based education module that includes a hands-on skills training component and assessment tool designed to teach the physiology, fundamental knowledge, and technical skills required in basic laparoscopic surgery.

General Surgeons interested in performing laparoscopic surgery are encouraged to pursue FLS training and testing.  Qualified General Surgery Residents in Canada have access to the FLS Program and testing via their respective General Surgery Program at a substantially reduced cost.  General Surgeons already in practice can enroll in the web-based program and gain access to FLS testing through a regional testing centre.

For more information on the FLS Program, visit http://www.flsprogram.org, or call 310-437-0544, ext. 137

Are you a practicing General Surgeon in Canada interested in taking the FLS Program?  If so, send an email to CAGS@cags-accg.ca

If you want to learn more about the NPI, visit https://www.cms.gov/nationalprovidentstand/01_overview.asp .  If you want to locate your NPI or apply for a NPI, visit https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/nppes/npiregistryhome.do .   If you do not have an NPI, the FLS Registry will still list your name as having completed the FLS exam if you wish, and show “NPI not applicable”.

If you have questions about the FLS Registry or if you want your name to be listed, please contact Christina Rivers at 310-437-0544, ext. 137, or email fls@sages.org.

Need more information?  Call 310-437-0544, ext. 139.

Click here to view the Covidien Education Fund FAQs

In addition to year-round testing at our regional test centers, the FLS exam will be available by appointment at the ACS Clinical Congress  Meeting, October 1 – October 3, 2012 in Chicago, IL as well as at the  SAGES Meeting, April 17 -  April 20, 2013 in Baltimore, MD.

Before taking the exam, prepare yourself by reviewing the FLS didactic content, practicing the FLS manual skills, and possessing an FLS test voucher.  To purchase the didactics/voucher, return this order form to the FLS program office with payment.