Dear Colleagues,

Laparotomy has long been a standard procedure in emergency and trauma surgical settings. While it can be effective in treating certain conditions, it is associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates above all in frail and high-risk patients and longer recovery times.

Minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery, and other new technologies have revolutionized the field of surgery in recent years, allowing for less invasive procedures, faster recovery times, and reduced complications for patients. In emergency surgical situations, these technologies can provide even greater benefits, making small incisions and using specialized instruments and cameras to access the intra-abdominal cavity, minimizing pain, scarring, and recovery time.

Robotic surgery, which utilizes advanced robotic systems to assist surgeons in performing complex procedures with greater precision and control, has also become increasingly common in emergency surgical settings. This technology can be particularly helpful in cases where the surgical site is difficult to access or where a high degree of accuracy is required.

Research and contributions in the field of minimally invasive emergency surgery are essential to advancing the field and improving patient outcomes. There is a growing body of evidence supporting the use of minimally invasive techniques in emergency surgical settings, but there is still much to learn about how to best apply these techniques and optimize their use, improving the education, training, and implementation of new technologies for emergency and trauma surgeons.

Some potential areas for research and contribution in this field could include:

• Comparative effectiveness studies: research that compares the outcomes of different surgical approaches for specific emergency conditions.

• Developing new techniques and technologies: Advancements in surgical techniques and technologies, such as robotics and virtual reality, can help to further reduce the invasiveness of emergency surgical procedures and improve patient outcomes.

• Standardization of protocols: Developing standardized protocols for the use of minimally invasive techniques in emergency surgical settings, including patient selection criteria, preoperative preparation, and postoperative care.

• Patient-reported outcomes: Collecting and analyzing patient-reported outcomes, such as pain, quality of life, and satisfaction with care, can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness and impact of minimally invasive emergency surgery.

Overall, there is a great need for ongoing research and contributions in the field of minimally invasive emergency surgery, with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes in the emergency setting.

Thank you for joining our Special Issue.

Dr. Belinda De Simone
Prof. Dr. Fausto Catena
Prof. Dr. Salomone Di Saverio
Guest Editors

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• laparoscopy
• single-incision laparoscopic approach (SILS)
• robotic surgery
• emergency surgery
• endoscopy
• 3D system of vision
• virtual reality
• intra-abdominal infections
• trauma surgery