The SAGES masters program: top 10 seminal articles for laparoscopic fundoplication

As one of the eight clinical pathways of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Masters Program, the Foregut Pathway includes laparoscopic fundoplication as an anchoring procedure. In this article, the SAGES Foregut Committee presents focused summaries of the top 10 seminal articles selected for laparoscopic fundoplication which surgeons performing this procedure should be familiar with.

A systematic literature search was performed by a research librarian using Web of Science and Google Scholar. The top 30 papers with the highest citation index were extracted, reviewed, and ranked according to importance by members of the SAGES Foregut Committee. Additional articles not identified in the literature search were included if deemed impactful by expert consensus. The top 10 ranked articles were then summarized, with emphasis on relevance and impact in the field, findings, strengths and limitations, and conclusions.

The top 10 seminal articles selected for the laparoscopic fundoplication anchoring procedure include clinical practice guidelines, randomized controlled trials comparing surgical techniques and medical versus surgical therapy, systematic reviews and meta-analyses evaluating outcomes, and foundational papers establishing technical principles. These articles address patient selection, operative techniques, clinical outcomes, and evidence-based recommendations for the surgical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The top 10 seminal articles selected for laparoscopic fundoplication are considered by the SAGES Foregut Committee to be foundational in supporting surgeon progression to mastery within the Foregut Pathway. These papers establish the fundamental principles and evidence that guide the current practice of laparoscopic fundoplication.