Preamble The guidelines for Minimally Invasive Surgical Treatment of Adrenal Pathology are a series of systematically developed statements to educate and guide the surgeon (and patient) in the appropriate use of minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of adrenal disease. The guidelines address the indications, risks, benefits, outcomes, alternatives, and controversies of the procedures used in specific clinical circumstances. The statements included in these guidelines were derived from a systematic review of published work on the topic, and the recommendations are explicitly linked to the supporting evidence. The strengths and weaknesses of the available evidence are highlighted, and expert opinion is sought where published evidence lacks depth. Disclaimer Clinical practice guidelines are intended to indicate the best available approach to medical conditions as established by a systematic review of available data and expert opinion. The approach suggested might not be the only acceptable approach given the complexity of the health care environment. These guidelines are intended to be flexible because the surgeon must choose the approach best suited to the individual patient and the variables in existence at the moment of decision. These guidelines are applicable to all physicians appropriately credentialed and address the clinical situation in question, regardless of specialty. The guidelines were developed under the auspices of the Society of Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) by the guidelines Committee and are approved by the Board of Governors. The recommendations of each guideline have undergone multidisciplinary review and were considered valid at the time of production based on the data available. New developments in medical research and practice pertinent to each guideline are reviewed, and the guidelines will be updated periodically.
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