• Lara Rimmer, Callum Howard, Leonardo Picca, and Mohamad Bashir.
• Vascular Surgery Department, Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital, Haslingden Road, Blackburn, BB23HH, UK. lararimmer@gmail.com.
• Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2021 Jun 1; 47 (3): 757-762.

BackgroundArtificial intelligence (AI) is a field involving computational simulation of human intelligence processes; these applications of deep learning could have implications in the specialty of emergency surgery (ES). ES is a rapidly advancing area, and this review will outline the most recent advances.MethodsA literature search encompassing the uses of AI in surgery was conducted across large databases (Pubmed, OVID, SCOPUS). Two doctors (LR, CH) both collated relevant papers and appraised them. Papers included were published within the last 5 years, and a "snowball effect" used to collate further relevant literature.ResultsAI has been shown to provide value in predicting surgical outcomes and giving personalised patient risks based on inputted data. Further to this, image recognition technology within AI has showed success in fracture identification and breast cancer diagnosis. Regarding theatre presence, supervised robots have carried out suturing and anastomosis of bowel in controlled environments to a high standard.ConclusionAI has potential for integration across surgical services, from diagnosis to treatment, and aiding the surgeon in key decision-making for risks per patient. Fully automated surgery may be the future, but at present, AI needs human supervision.

11 keywords...

hide…