The Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery Program (FLS) is a comprehensive cognitive
and technical skills education program designed for surgical residents and practicing
surgeons who perform laparoscopic surgery.
The program is used to teach and assess cognitive and technical skills that are fundamental
to performing basic laparoscopic surgery safely. FLS certification is a requirement
by the American Board of Surgery for General Surgery Board certification.
The test consists of two components, a 75-question multiple choice exam that is taken
in conjunction with 5 pre-determined technical skills task utilizing the FLS Trainer
Box. The tasks include peg transfer, pattern cutting, endoloop, extracorporeal suturing
and intracorporeal suturing.
The goals of the FLS program include 1) providing surgical residents and practicing
surgeons a standardized, validated curriculum that provide the cognitive and technical
skills necessary to safely perform basic laparoscopic surgery; and 2) to improve the
safety of patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery.
The Augusta University, Department of Surgery's Virtual Education and Surgical Simulation
Lab (VESSL) is proud to announce that FLS resources (FLS box trainer and CD-ROM study
guides) are available for surgical residents and practicing surgeons to become proficient
in FLS. The Virtual Education and Surgical Simulation Lab will be a future FLS Testing
Center.
For information regarding FLS training resources at the Augusta University, please
contact our VESSL Coordinator.
VESSL Coordinator
Dr. Bao-Ling Adam
Phone: 706-721-4202
Email: badam@augusta.edu
For detailed information on the FLS program developed by SAGES (Society of American
Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons) please visit their website or email them at fls@sages.org.
SAGES/FLS Program
11300 W. Olympic Blvd, Suite 600,
Los Angeles, CA, 90064
Phone: 310 437 0544