Current and future applications of artificial intelligence in surgery: implications for clinical practice and research

• Published in: Frontiers in surgery Vol. 11; p. 1393898
• Main Authors: Morris, Miranda X., Fiocco, Davide, Caneva, Tommaso, Yiapanis, Paris, Orgill, Dennis P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 09.05.2024
• Subjects: artificial intelligence; data science; deep learning—artificial intelligence; machine learning; Surgery; deep learning—artificial intelligence; data science; machine learning; artificial intelligence; surgery
• ISSN: 2296-875X; 2296-875X
• DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2024.1393898

Surgeons are skilled at making complex decisions over invasive procedures that can save lives and alleviate pain and avoid complications in patients. The knowledge to make these decisions is accumulated over years of schooling and practice. Their experience is in turn shared with others, also via peer-reviewed articles, which get published in larger and larger amounts every year. In this work, we review the literature related to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in surgery. We focus on what is currently available and what is likely to come in the near future in both clinical care and research. We show that AI has the potential to be a key tool to elevate the effectiveness of training and decision-making in surgery and the discovery of relevant and valid scientific knowledge in the surgical domain. We also address concerns about AI technology, including the inability for users to interpret algorithms as well as incorrect predictions. A better understanding of AI will allow surgeons to use new tools wisely for the benefit of their patients.