Community outreach: A Need for Research At the Universitary Hospital of Ghent (UZ Gent), we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and care practices in complex surgeries, especially for patients undergoing hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery and liver transplantation. In contrast to midline laparotomy closure, there is a significant gap in the existing research regarding the best technique for closing a transverse laparotomy incision. This lack of evidence leaves healthcare providers without clear guidelines, potentially impacting patient recovery and outcomes. More research is needed to understand how different closure techniques affect wound healing with a special focus on incisional hernia (IH) formation. This narrative review focuses on the comparison between the available guidelines for a midline laparotomy closure and the lack of them in a transverse incision in HPB surgery and liver transplantation, highlighting the need for further studies to establish clear and evidence-based guidelines. We hope that by identifying and discussing this research gap, we can encourage researchers and clinicians, to prioritise studies on this subject.