Clinical Innovations and Technological Integration in Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

The paradigm of abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) has fundamentally shifted from traditional defect closure to a highly specialized discipline focused on functional myofascial restoration. What was once a routine general surgical task has evolved into a sophisticated frontier that demands a deep understanding of abdominal wall biomechanics and high-volume technical expertise. This transformation is driven by a synergistic integration of novel surgical techniques, minimally invasive platforms, advanced imaging, and next-generation prosthetic materials.As we move beyond conventional repairs, these innovations have not only refined surgical precision but have also redefined the limits of what is surgically achievable in complex ventral hernia management. However, this expanding boundary brings an urgent mandate for the global surgical community to move past anecdotal adoption and rigorously evaluate the safety, efficacy, and technical nuances of these emerging trends. In this new era, the integration of technology and sub-specialized skills is no longer an elective refinement, but a prerequisite for optimizing long-term clinical and patient-reported outcomes.

The goal of this Special Issue is to report on the latest advancements and practical innovations currently shaping the field of abdominal wall surgery. Rather than focusing on a single technology, we aim to curate a collection of high-quality research that reflects the broad spectrum of progress in the operating room. We are particularly interested in documenting how novel assistive devices, AI-driven surgical planning, and refined surgical techniques are being implemented in clinical practice. By gathering current data and technical reports in one place, this issue will serve as a modern resource for the global surgical community. Our objective is to showcase high-impact findings that help define the current state of the art, ensuring that the most effective new procedures and devices are highlighted for surgeons worldwide.

We invite contributors to submit Original Research, Comprehensive Reviews, and Technical Notes that explore the clinical impact of modern innovations in AWR. We are looking for submissions that provide practical data and technical insights into the following themes:* Novel Surgical Techniques: New procedural refinements in both open and MIS complex reconstruction (e.g., eTEP, TAR, and pre-peritoneal approaches).* Advanced MIS Platforms: The expansion of laparoscopic and endoscopic techniques for diverse and complex hernia pathologies.* Novel Assistive Devices: Innovations in hardware, novel assistive devices, prosthetic meshes, and next-generation fixation tools.* Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health: The application of AI in preoperative risk assessment, intraoperative decision-support, and advanced imaging for anatomical mapping.* Outcome Analytics: The use of large-scale registries and remote monitoring to track long-term success and patient-reported outcomes.

Fee Support
As a Gold open-access journal, all submissions are subject to publishing fees. If you require support for Article Processing Charges (APC) a limited number of waivers are available, to apply please complete our Fee Support Application form. JAWS’ authors can also benefit from financial support from their institution through Frontiers' Institutional Agreements. For full details please see the journals Publishing Fees page. Any questions? Please contact the Publishing Office.

Article types and fees

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Commentary
• Editorial
• In Memoriam
• Letter to the Editor
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Commentary
• Editorial
• In Memoriam
• Letter to the Editor
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Protocol
• Review

Keywords: Abdominal Wall Reconstruction, Surgical Innovation, Surgical Device, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Artificial Intelligence, Prosthetic Materials