Current Trends in Abdominal Surgery

Dear Colleagues,

Abdominal surgery has experienced substantial progress over the last decades, driven by continuous advancements in surgical technology, diagnostic imaging, and perioperative management. The introduction and widespread adoption of minimally invasive and robotic techniques have significantly transformed surgical practice, allowing increasingly complex procedures to be performed with greater precision and reduced operative trauma. These developments have contributed to improved patient outcomes, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times. At the same time, global healthcare systems are facing new challenges, including an aging population, increasing surgical demand, and the need to balance innovation with sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

In parallel with technological progress, abdominal surgery is evolving toward more patient-centered and personalized models of care. Enhanced recovery protocols, multidisciplinary collaboration, and individualized treatment strategies are becoming integral components of modern surgical practice. Moreover, emerging tools such as artificial intelligence, advanced imaging modalities, and digital technologies are opening new perspectives for improving diagnostic accuracy, surgical planning, intraoperative guidance, and postoperative management. Despite these important advances, several challenges remain, including the optimal management of complex surgical cases, reduction in postoperative complications, and the effective integration of new technologies into routine clinical practice.

This Special Issue, entitled “Current Trends in Abdominal Surgery,” aims to present and disseminate recent developments and emerging perspectives in this rapidly evolving field. We welcome original research articles, reviews, and clinical studies addressing contemporary surgical techniques, innovations in minimally invasive and robotic surgery, abdominal wall and gastrointestinal procedures, perioperative optimization, and enhanced recovery strategies. Contributions exploring the role of artificial intelligence, advanced imaging, digital technologies, and surgical simulation in supporting clinical decision-making and surgical training are particularly encouraged.

By bringing together contributions from clinicians and researchers, this Special Issue aims to provide an updated overview of current trends and future directions in abdominal surgery, fostering scientific discussion and supporting the ongoing improvement of surgical practice and patient care.

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Minimally invasive abdominal surgery (laparoscopic and robotic approaches);
• Innovations in gastrointestinal surgery;
• Hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery;
• Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols in abdominal procedures;
• Artificial intelligence and digital technologies in abdominal surgery.

Dr. Gianluca Costa
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• abdominal surgery
• minimally invasive surgery
• robotic surgery
• gastrointestinal surgery
• artificial intelligence in surgery
• enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)