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

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Surgical Innovation
• Minimally Invasive Surgery Techniques

Background:

• Laparoscopic fundoplication is a key procedure in the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Foregut Pathway.
• This article identifies and summarizes seminal works crucial for surgeons performing this procedure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a curated list of the top 10 foundational articles on laparoscopic fundoplication.
• To provide surgeons with essential knowledge for mastering this surgical technique.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted using Web of Science and Google Scholar.
• The top 30 cited papers were ranked by the SAGES Foregut Committee, with expert consensus for additional impactful articles.
• The top 10 articles were summarized, focusing on relevance, findings, strengths, limitations, and conclusions.

Main Results:

• The selected articles encompass clinical guidelines, comparative trials (surgical techniques, medical vs. surgical therapy), systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.
• These seminal works cover critical aspects such as patient selection, operative techniques, clinical outcomes, and evidence-based recommendations for GERD management.
• The identified papers establish core technical principles and evaluate outcomes for laparoscopic fundoplication.

Conclusions:

• The top 10 articles are foundational for surgeon development in the SAGES Foregut Pathway.
• These papers provide the essential evidence base and principles guiding current laparoscopic fundoplication practices.
• Mastery of these seminal works supports surgeon progression and expertise in foregut surgery.