Training and Education in Hernia Surgery

Hernia surgery is among the most commonly performed operations worldwide. It encompasses a wide spectrum of complexity, from routine primary repairs to advanced abdominal wall reconstruction with an array of adjuncts and a variety of techniques and procedures. High-quality training and structured education are fundamental to ensuring patient safety, reproducible outcomes, and the responsible adoption of new technologies.

Over recent decades, the field has evolved rapidly. There are several advanced techniques and its differentiated applications and tailored approaches can be challenging to learn and teach. Simultaneously, changes in surgical training frameworks such as the move away from “see one-do one-teach one” and increasing subspecialisation have created new demands for education and skill acquisition especially outside the operating theatre. These developments underline the need
for evidence-based, transparent, and adaptable training models and set-ups.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current practices, innovations, and challenges in training and education within hernia surgery, from early surgical training to lifelong
professional development. In addition, an emphasis will be given to the evaluation and assessment of surgical competence, training outcomes, and educational effectiveness.

Scope of the Special Issue
We invite submissions addressing training and education in hernia surgery, including but not limited to:
• Residency, fellowship, and subspecialty training pathways
• Learning curves and objective assessment of surgical competence
• Simulation-based training, skills laboratories, and digital education
• Training in open, laparoscopic, and robotic hernia surgery
• Mentorship, supervision, and trainer responsibilities
• Credentialing, certification, and recertification
• Registry-based education and quality improvement
• Global perspectives and international training standards

The Special Issue welcomes the following article types:
• Original research articles
• Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
• Narrative reviews and educational overviews
• Technical and training framework papers
• Perspective, opinion, or consensus articles
• Registry-based analyses and educational outcomes studies

Call for scientific papers
We encourage authors to submit high-quality manuscripts that critically evaluate existing training paradigms, propose innovative educational strategies, or present original data on learning curves,
assessment, and outcomes in hernia surgery. Submissions addressing patient safety during training and the responsible implementation of new technologies are particularly welcome. This Special Issue aims to support excellence in hernia surgery by strengthening the scientific
foundation of surgical education.

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: Education, Training, Hernia, Abdominal wall surgery, residents, fellowship, technical skills, non technical skills, simulation