In recent years, social media has become increasingly important in modern society, including the world we maneuver in as surgeons. As several studies have pointed out, social media engagement is becoming increasingly important for medical professionals and, consequently, a necessity for journals and organizations to stay relevant. Furthermore, the development of new technologies for surgical education is of utmost importance to improve training efficiency, enhance skill acquisition, and ensure better patient outcomes.

Effective communication and the way patients and providers gain or disperse knowledge is rapidly changing in today’s world. As interactions become less in person and more digital, “social media” has taken on a broader context. Today, in this world of robotics, AI, and social media, disbursement of information and knowledge is markedly different. As we explore the theme of “social media and new technologies” this can describe any platform accessed via the internet from which patients and providers are obtaining information. In this age of “digital influencers”, it will be interesting to assess its impact on surgery as it pertains to complex abdominal wall reconstruction. With the advent of new technologies, surgeons must continually adapt and change their practices to align with recent advances and innovations.

Social media not only influences the development of a young surgeon’s career, but it can also impact surgeon education, patient perception, attitudes, and possibly even the procedures they want. This special issue of the Journal of Abdominal Wall Surgery (now indexed in PubMed) is intended to uncover the many facets and impact on the digital world on abdominal wall reconstruction. It will present the latest cutting-edge reviews, original research and opinion papers from the leading experts in the field. Submissions are welcome on (but not limited to):

- Impact of social media and new technologies (including AI) for abdominal wall surgical education
- The impact of social media on understanding patient perception, attitudes, and medical knowledge of procedures
- Contribution of social media to abdominal wall surgeon's education
- Useful social media tools for abdominal wall surgeons, including educational platforms

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Articles

Large Language Models in Surgery: Promise, Pitfalls, and Practical Use

Journal of Abdominal Wall Surgery