ADVANCEMENTS AND CURRENT CHALLENGES IN GENERAL AND ABDOMINAL SURGERY

Abstract

 General and abdominal surgery form a fundamental component of modern clinical practice, addressing a wide range of gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, and abdominal wall disorders. Over the past two decades, technological progress and the introduction of minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques have significantly transformed surgical approaches. This study aims to evaluate the most recent developments in general and abdominal surgery, focusing on the effectiveness of minimally invasive procedures, enhanced recovery protocols, and current limitations faced in clinical implementation. A narrative review of seventy-five peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2024 was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Comparative analysis demonstrated that laparoscopic and robotic surgeries are associated with a marked reduction in postoperative pain, hospital stay, and complication rates compared to traditional open procedures. The introduction of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways has further improved perioperative outcomes, although challenges related to cost, accessibility, and the steep learning curve of advanced surgical techniques remain. The findings highlight the necessity of continued research to integrate innovative technologies and optimize patient-centered surgical care.