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Advances in Minimally Invasive Surgery: Transformative Technologies, Techniques and Trends

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "General Surgery".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 January 2026 | Viewed by 1971

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Second Department of Surgery, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace Medical School, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
Interests: minimally invasive surgery; laparoscopic surgery; robotic surgery; surgical innovation; hernia repair; colorectal surgery; gastrointestinal surgery; hepatopancreatobiliary surgery; surgical simulation; virtual reality; augmented reality; artificial intelligence; surgical training; patient outcomes; surgical oncology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Minimally invasive surgery continues to evolve rapidly, driven by advances in technology, technique, and interdisciplinary innovation. Our Special Issue, "Advances in Minimally Invasive Surgery: Transformative Technologies, Techniques and Trends", aims to highlight cutting-edge developments that are shaping the future of surgical practice.

We welcome original research and review articles focusing on laparoscopic and robotic-assisted procedures with a particular interest in hernia repair, hepatopancreatobiliary and colorectal surgery, and other gastrointestinal interventions. Submissions that explore the integration of artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual and mixed reality platforms, and simulation-based training in surgical practice are strongly encouraged.

We also invite contributions on surgical innovation, technique refinement, perioperative outcomes, and novel approaches that enhance patient safety, improve learning curves, and optimize long-term results. Special attention will be given to manuscripts that offer clinical insights into translational applications and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Tentative Table of Contents

  1. Innovations Into Minimally Invasive Approach to Colorectal Surgery.
  2. Artificial Intelligence in Minimally Invasive Surgery: Current Applications and Future Perspectives.
  3. Innovations in Minimally Invasive Hernia Repair.
  4. Minimally Invasive Surgery in Hepatopancreatobiliary Procedures.
  5. Advances and Innovations in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery: Techniques, Technologies and Future Directions.
  6. Use of Augmented and Virtual Reality in Minimally Invasive Surgery Procedures. 
  7. Simulation-Based Training for Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques. 
  8. Enhancing Patient Safety and Perioperative Outcomes in Minimally Invasive Surgery.
  9. Translational Innovation in Surgical Oncology Via Minimally Invasive Tools.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions to this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Michail Pitiakoudis
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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.

Keywords

  • minimally invasive surgery
  • laparoscopic surgery
  • robotic surgery
  • surgical innovation
  • hernia repair
  • colorectal surgery
  • gastrointestinal surgery
  • hepatopancreatobiliary surgery
  • surgical simulation
  • virtual reality
  • augmented reality
  • artificial intelligence
  • surgical training
  • patient outcomes
  • surgical oncology

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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12 pages, 2738 KB  
Article
Minimally Invasive Nephrectomy for the Management of Polycystic Kidney Disease: The Hilum-First Technique
by Amir Shweiki, Harbi Khalayleh, Michael Rivin, Suha Shabaneh, Abed Khalaileh and Ashraf Imam
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(21), 7485; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14217485 - 22 Oct 2025
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Abstract
Background: Nephrectomy in patients with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is typically arduous due to the considerable size of the kidneys. The laparoscopic method has arisen as a minimally invasive substitute for open surgery. Nonetheless, conventional laparoscopic methods may be inadequate for tackling the [...] Read more.
Background: Nephrectomy in patients with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is typically arduous due to the considerable size of the kidneys. The laparoscopic method has arisen as a minimally invasive substitute for open surgery. Nonetheless, conventional laparoscopic methods may be inadequate for tackling the distinct anatomical complexities of a large polycystic kidney. This study presents a unique method, “the hilum first technique”, specifically designed for nephrectomy in patients with PKD, emphasizing its safety and efficacy in addressing this intricate condition. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with PKD who underwent minimally invasive nephrectomy using “the hilum first technique” at our hospital between 2020 and 2025. Data on operative time, blood loss, conversion rates, hospital stay, and outcomes were analyzed to evaluate this technique’s safety and efficacy. Results: Minimally invasive nephrectomy using the “hilum first technique” was successfully performed in 16 cases; the mean age of patients was 56.3 years. Two of which were robot-assisted, in which one of them, a bilateral nephrectomy was done, with no conversions to open surgery, even for huge kidneys. The mean operative time was 159.6 min, with an estimated blood loss of 50 mL. Postoperatively, the median duration of hospital stay was 4 days (range: 3–10 days), and 75% of patients experienced no complications. Three patients (18.7%) were readmitted within 30 days due to surgical site infection, subcutaneous hematoma, and pneumonia. Seven patients (43.7%) underwent kidney transplantation within a median duration of 132 days post-nephrectomy. Conclusions: This retrospective study, although limited by a small sample size, demonstrated significant promise as a novel strategy for tackling the challenges of huge polycystic kidneys. The findings suggest its feasibility and safety, although further validation is required. Full article
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8 pages, 3763 KB  
Case Report
Robotic-Assisted Total Pelvic Exenteration for Rectal Cancer Using the Hugo™ RAS System: First Case Report
by Kosuke Hiramatsu, Shigeo Toda, Shuichiro Matoba, Daisuke Tomita, Yusuke Maeda, Naoto Okazaki, Yudai Fukui, Yutaka Hanaoka, Masashi Ueno, Suguru Oka, Tomoaki Eguchi and Hiroya Kuroyanagi
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(18), 6603; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14186603 - 19 Sep 2025
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Abstract
Introduction: Total pelvic exenteration (TPE) is a radical procedure for advanced pelvic malignancies involving adjacent organs. The Hugo™ RAS System is a novel robotic platform, but its application in TPE has not previously been reported. We describe the first case of robotic-assisted [...] Read more.
Introduction: Total pelvic exenteration (TPE) is a radical procedure for advanced pelvic malignancies involving adjacent organs. The Hugo™ RAS System is a novel robotic platform, but its application in TPE has not previously been reported. We describe the first case of robotic-assisted TPE using Hugo™ RAS in a patient with locally advanced rectal cancer invading the prostate. Methods: A 69-year-old male with mucous and bloody stools was diagnosed with cT4b (prostate, levator ani muscle) N0M0 rectal cancer. After short-course radiotherapy (25 Gy/5 fractions), robotic-assisted TPE was performed. Port placement was planned to coincide with future colostomy and urostomy sites to minimize abdominal wall trauma. En bloc resection was achieved, followed by pelvic reconstruction with a gluteus maximus musculocutaneous flap and fascia lata autograft. Urinary diversion was completed with a robotic intracorporeal Wallace-type ileal conduit. Results: The operation lasted 17 h 56 min, with 175 mL blood loss. Postoperatively, Clavien–Dindo grade IIIa paralytic ileus occurred but was managed conservatively. Pathology revealed pT4b (prostate) N1a M0 disease with negative circumferential margin (11 mm). No recurrence was observed at 9 months. Conclusions: This case highlights the technical feasibility and safety of Hugo™ RAS-assisted TPE. Further clinical experience is needed to confirm reproducibility and oncologic safety. Full article
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