Editorial Overview: Highlights from the 26th EUPSA Congress, Dubrovnik, 2025

This special congress issue of the European Journal of Pediatric Surgery brings together selected contributions from the 26th EUPSA Congress, held in Dubrovnik, Croatia (May 21–24, 2025), reflecting the scientific diversity and clinical relevance of contemporary pediatric surgical research across Europe, from digital innovation and translational science to health systems analysis and patient-centered care. The increasing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in diagnostics is illustrated by Vargova et al.[ 1 ] who demonstrate that AI-assisted interpretation of contrast enemas can improve diagnostic accuracy in Hirschsprung's disease when compared with clinical experts. Their findings highlight the potential of machine learning to reduce interobserver variability and support more standardized diagnostic pathways. Psychological aspects of perioperative care are addressed in a randomized trial led by Amatriain et al.[ 2 ] showing that early virtual reality intervention significantly reduces preoperative anxiety in children. The age-stratified design underscores the importance of tailoring non-pharmacological interventions to the developmental stage. Translational research features prominently in an experimental study by Arkan et al.[ 3 ] who investigate polydatin as a potential therapeutic agent in pediatric intestinal volvulus. Using an ischemia–reperfusion injury model, the authors provide insight into antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms relevant to acute intestinal pathology. Health system performance and resource utilization are examined by Wennemann et al.[ 4 ] in a nationwide analysis of esophageal atresia repair in Germany. Their work links hospital characteristics with utilization patterns and costs, offering important perspectives on the organization of care for rare congenital anomalies. Surgeon well-being is brought into focus by Holler et al.[ 5 ] whose cross-sectional survey documents a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among pediatric surgeons, emphasizing the need for preventive and ergonomic strategies within the specialty. High-risk surgical decision-making is addressed in a systematic review by Sehdev at el.[ 6 ] summarizing indications and outcomes of emergency laparotomy in the neonatal intensive care unit. Long-term complications are explored by Pauer et al.[ 7 ] who report on acquired diaphragmatic hernia following pediatric liver transplantation, highlighting the importance of ongoing surveillance. Further translational insight is provided by Wang et al.[ 8 ] who show that eupatilin reduces fibrosis in experimental cholestasis. Diagnostic innovation is advanced by Fabrizio et al.[ 9 ] through their feasibility study on ex vivo fluorescence confocal microscopy. Finally, a systematic review and meta-analysis by Sterlin et al.[ 10 ] confirms that gastroesophageal reflux remains a persistent challenge in patients with esophageal atresia. The 30 manuscripts were reviewed and discussed intensively by the EUPSA Publication Committee, consisting of professors Ernest van Heurn from Amsterdam, Martin Lacher from Leipzig, Udo Rolle from Frankfurt, Annika Mutanen from Helsinki, Richard Keijzer from Winnipeg, and Augusto Zani from St. Louis. We thank the members of the committee for their extraordinary input and support. Together, these contributions highlight the innovation, methodological rigor, and collaborative spirit that continue to drive progress in pediatric surgery. Publication History Article published online: 12 January 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany