Dear Colleagues,

Recent advances in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) offer several benefits to patients with gynecological diseases. MIS is especially preferred due to the excellent cosmetic outcomes from this approach. In addition to conventional laparoscopy, robotic surgery is becoming increasingly accepted worldwide. Advantages of a minimally invasive approach include reduced intraoperative blood loss, less postoperative pain, shorter rehabilitation time, and a significant reduction in overall and surgical postoperative morbidity. However, MIS is associated with longer learning curves. As reported by The Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer study, much discussion remains in relation to MIS adaptation in cervical cancer. In this issue, we will publish the outcomes from MIS as observed in various facilities, including the technical details and novel types of total laparoscopic hysterectomy, laparoscopic myomectomy, and laparoscopic radical hysterectomy. Furthermore, we welcome rare case reports that describe the application of MIS in gynecological practice. We will also include information on educational material and on the tools available to train beginners in MIS at each facility. This special issue will offer the latest information on MIS for both benign and malignant gynecological diseases.

Kentaro Nakayama

Guest Editor