Overview of the fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery program and its significance for Chinese surgeons

Fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery (FLS) Program is the first truly validated psychomotor and cognitive skills program and assessment in general surgery. FLS was developed by the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) and endorsed by the American Board of Surgery. It is a pre requisite mandated by the American Board of Surgery for all surgeons wishing to sit for the General Surgical Board Qualifying Exam, which is the first step towards board certification in the United States This paper reviews the success of the FLS program in the United States, and its potential use and benefit in standardizing laparoscopy in China.