Editorial for a New Section: Launching the “Hand Surgery and Research” Section—Beyond the Scalpel, Toward Innovation and Translational Science

Introduction

The human hand is a marvel of evolutionary engineering—an intricate system of bones, tendons, nerves, vessels, and soft tissues that enables precision, strength, sensation, and expression. Its function is essential to autonomy, identity, and social interaction. The restoration of its integrity after trauma, disease, or congenital deficit is among the most technically demanding and emotionally rewarding endeavors in surgery. Hand surgery, as a subspecialty, stands at the crossroads of multiple disciplines, including orthopedics, plastic and reconstructive surgery, microsurgery, neurosurgery, and rehabilitation medicine. It requires not only anatomical mastery and surgical finesse but also an understanding of function, biomechanics, neurophysiology, and the profound psychosocial impact of hand disability [1,2,3].

Recognizing the value and complexity of this field, Surgeries is pleased to introduce the new Hand Surgery and Research Section—an open-access platform committed to advancing clinical knowledge, disseminating innovative research, and promoting international and interdisciplinary collaboration. While excellent journals already contribute to this area, we believe there is still space for a dedicated, inclusive forum that supports both emerging and established voices, and encourages dialog between clinical experience and scientific innovation.

This section was created with the aim to bring together surgeons, scientists, engineers, and rehabilitation specialists with a common goal—to advance the science and art of treating the human hand. In today’s fast-evolving landscape, where digital technologies, biomaterials, regenerative therapies, and patient-reported outcomes redefine standards, the role of scientific publications is not only to document progress but to inspire it.

Fundamental to this vision is the dynamic interplay between basic research and clinical practice. Many researchers [4,5,6] have emphasized that the translation of molecular insights into therapeutic strategies is only possible when physicians and scientists work in synergy. The hand surgeon, today more than ever, must be not only a technician, but also a communicator, a critical thinker, and a conduit between the lab bench and the operating room. The same connection that led from breast reconstruction to new treatments [7], and from epigenetics to cancer therapies [8], must now guide us to redefine tissue regeneration, nerve repair, and functional recovery in hand surgery.

We call on orthopedic and plastic surgeons, microsurgeons, rehabilitation specialists, biomedical engineers, and students alike to contribute. Your data, cases, and perspectives in each paper will provide a step forward in shaping new standards and redefining what is possible in the treatment of hand conditions. All contributions are welcome, including experimental models, clinical trials, surgical technique reports, and cross-disciplinary innovation.

In this endeavor, the support of the Società Italiana di Chirurgia della Mano (SICM) is not only an endorsement but a strategic alliance. As a leading professional body in the field, SICM brings decades of expertise, scientific credibility, and a strong national and international network that reinforces the quality and visibility of this initiative. The mission of SICM aligns perfectly with the spirit of the project: advancing hand surgery means advancing science — and sharing that science, he emphasizes, is a duty toward our patients and our future.

Our editorial priorities are clear, as listed below:

• Foster interdisciplinary and translational research;
• Promote technical innovation and evidence-based surgical practice;
• Emphasize patient-centered outcomes and functional recovery;
• Support young researchers in disseminating their work globally.

The Hand Surgery and Research Section is not just a repository for manuscripts—it is a living forum for scientific exchange, professional growth, and international collaboration. Contributions are encouraged across a broad spectrum of topics—from innovative surgical techniques and material validation studies to clinical outcome analyses and experimental research. As Kornberg [9] said, “basic research is the lifeline of medicine.” Let us ensure that our research on hand surgery is strong, visible, and connected across disciplines, borders, and generations.

The launch of this section marks the establishment of a dedicated space for scientific dialog, methodological advancement, and multidisciplinary collaboration on hand surgery. As the field continues to evolve, contributions from broader research and clinical communities will play a crucial role in shaping the future direction of this field.