There have been huge technological advancements over the last decade, which have increased the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the medical industry. AI is now being used for medicine, radiology, surgery and more due to how much of the fields it can enhance. Surgery has seen a bigger impact from the use of AI due to how far technology has advanced. Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Robotic surgery are the three types of AI that are used in the industry.
AI is used as a companion to the surgeon rather than replacing the surgeon. The robots used and the thinking systems they have in place can help the surgeon complete a less invasive surgery with better results. At some point in time, robotic AI could potentially be able to complete procedures by itself through autonomous robotic surgery. However, this has not yet been done in mainstream medicine as most people would still prefer a human surgeon who they trust.
This article will explore AI applications at every stage of surgery and how it is transforming it for the better through less invasive procedures.
Pre-Operative Phase
The surgical planning process during the preoperative stage is very important for how well the surgery goes. When a patient is required to have surgery, either for a medical or cosmetic reason, the surgeon will make a preoperative plan based on the patient’s medical history. Imaging tests will also be carried out to ensure that the surgery runs smoothly.
Machine learning can be used in the preoperative stage for anatomical classification, detection, segmentation and image registration. This can help with image analysis techniques used during this stage of surgery and can make it more accurate. It also results in more accurate predictions on how the surgery is going to go, as well as the aftercare.
There are some other key ways that AI can be used in the preoperative stage, such as:
- Deep learning algorithms can detect and recognize serious conditions like intracranial hemorrhages during CT scans.
- Autoencoders have been used to detect certain medical illnesses from 4D Positron-Emission Tomography.
- Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRIs can use 3D Convulsion Neural Networks to detect breast lesions.
- Machine learning tools can identify rare immune disorders through electronic health files.
Intra-Operative Phase
Performing surgical procedures can be a very technical and delicate process. Advancements in AI have been able to assist surgeons in making the process safer and less invasive for the patient. Many surgical applications like ultrasound, Near-Infrared Fluorescence, Optical Coherence Tomography and many other devices use AI to prove computer assisted surgery and make the surgeon’s life easier.
Augmented reality is a newer form of AI that is being used during the intraoperative phase. It can present scan results from CTs, MRIs and X-Rays over the body of the patient to show a more detailed view of their organs during the procedure. This has not yet been used on a wide level, but with more technological advancements it could be the future of surgery with more medical centers looking to integrate more AI.
Robotic AI Surgery
The intraoperative phase has also been able to utilize robotics in surgery that are integrated with AI. Surgical robots offer a huge helping hand to surgeons, as they have increased precision through more controlled trajectory, depth and speed. Unlike human surgeons, these robots don’t get fatigued and can keep working for longer periods of time.
The integration of AI into these surgical robots gives them the power to perform at a superhuman level as they can perform minimally invasive surgeries. This new intelligence also makes the surgical robots better understand what they are doing, which can lead to better decision-making. Overall, this improves the precision, safety and efficiency of surgical procedures.
Cosmetic surgery is a field that has seen big growth in the use of AI robotics. Robotic-assisted hair transplantation and certain facial surgeries, like deep plane facelifts, use AI systems to enhance control and accuracy.
Post-Operative Phase
Post-surgery can be a delicate time for patients as they have to recover from a body-altering procedure. They will often feel pain, fatigue and sleepiness during this stage, which can make it a stressful experience. In an attempt to solve some of the problems related to post-surgery, healthcare tools integrated with AI can predict any postoperative complications and make it easier for professionals to monitor the patient’s progress.
Natural language integration in electronic health records has enabled a more accurate detection of surgical site infections. This makes them more treatable as they can be caught earlier thanks to the use of AI. This type of medical AI is still in the developmental stage and is not yet used by the majority of surgeons, but it will definitely be a mainstay in the future as more tests make it more of a trusted tool in the medical field.