What's New in Hand Surgery: Transformative advancements and Emerging Trends

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Hand surgery has undergone remarkable evolution over the past decade, driven by advances in microsurgery, biologics, imaging, and digital technologies. Key areas of progress include high-resolution imaging, minimally invasive surgery, wide-awake local anesthesia (WALANT), and biologic therapies such as platelet-rich plasma and stem cells. Reconstructive strategies have advanced with vascularized bone and nerve grafts, tendon repair techniques, and the integration of biologics with scaffolds and 3D printing. Technological innovations-artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, robotics, and telemedicine-are redefining surgical education, intraoperative navigation, and rehabilitation. Despite rapid growth, challenges remain regarding validation, equity of access, and ethical considerations. This review highlights transformative developments, focusing on innovations that have reshaped diagnostic accuracy, surgical precision, and patient-centered outcomes.

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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