Career resource
Minimally invasive surgery

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Abstract

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS), or laparoscopic surgery, plays a vital role in residency training in a number of surgical disciplines including general surgery, surgical oncology, colorectal surgery, pediatric surgery, and thoracic surgery. The tremendous patient demand for MIS over the past 2 decades has resulted in surgeons rapidly embracing this technique. Many general surgery residencies cover basic laparoscopy within their residency program; however, the experience with more advanced cases is more variable. This career resource guides the interested medical student and physician to opportunities for fellowship training in MIS. It includes a discussion of the specialty, training requirements, grant funding, research fellowships, and pertinent societies.

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Residency requirements

Most minimally invasive surgery fellowships require that completion of a general surgery residency program and be board eligible in general surgery.

MIS fellowship

The Fellowship Council was created to promote high-quality fellowship training in minimally invasive surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, hepatobiliary/pancreatic surgery, and flexible endoscopy. It represents 130 programs that have received accreditation from the council. A fellowship match process managed by the National Resident Matching Program

MIS Research Opportunities and Funding

Medical students interested in MIS should identify a faculty member at their medical school who has a background in minimally invasive surgery and an interest in mentoring. The medical student's adviser or dean may be helpful in identifying MIS faculty. The student should meet with the MIS faculty member to discuss shadowing in the operating room and possible research opportunities.

Surgery residents interested in a career in MIS should approach MIS faculty members at their institution to find

SAGES

SAGES was founded in 1981 primarily as an organization for surgeons performing flexible endoscopy. Since then, SAGES has embraced both endoscopy and MIS. In the early 1990s, SAGES assumed a leadership role in defining standards for emerging technologies in general surgery. The society's missions include educating residents and practicing surgeons, providing guidelines for training and granting of privileges, evaluating emerging technologies, developing standards of practice, and supporting

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