In a comprehensive exploration of the evolving landscape of surgical innovation, a recent review article has unveiled the transformative potential of autonomous robotic systems.
Fuelled by remarkable advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics technology, these systems are poised to revolutionise surgical procedures, ushering in an era of precision and efficiency like never before.
While some surgeons have questioned the concept of autonomous surgery, the paper’s authors emphasise that recent advancements have enabled enhanced precision, intelligent manoeuvring and reduced tissue damage.
In the article. lead author Yeisson Rivero-Moreno et al urge surgeons to embrace these technologies and steer them towards optimal patient care, leveraging human qualities such as creativity, altruism and moral deliberation alongside the capabilities of autonomous systems.
Integrating AI, machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL) into surgical practices is crucial for improving patient outcomes, they say.
These technologies enable rapid expertise acquisition by processing extensive patient data, leading to accelerated procedures and heightened accuracy.
AI’s presence in daily life has expanded into medicine, assisting disease diagnosis, therapy recommendation and outcome prediction. Notable examples include ChatGPT, the AI tool developed by OpenAI, which aids medical professionals and students in decision-making processes.
Machine learning, a subset of AI, enhances task performance by recognising patterns through repeated data analysis. Inspired by the neural architecture of the human brain, deep learning enables machines to achieve superior results through multiple layers of data processing.
In surgery, AI plays a pivotal role in autonomous movements and decision assistance. Autonomous surgical robots, operating at varying levels of autonomy, have demonstrated promising results in procedures ranging from plastic surgery to radiosurgery for malignancies.
Despite its potential benefits, the authors note that autonomous robotic surgery faces challenges, particularly in handling complex procedures requiring real-time adaptive decision-making.
Variability in anatomy, unexpected situations and reliance on sensors and perception pose significant hurdles.
The authors conclude that robotic technology will continue transforming the surgical field, with ongoing research and development focusing on autonomy across a spectrum of procedures.
They write: ‘In the near future, robotic technology will transform the surgical field. Robots now possess autonomous and semi-autonomous modes because of the development of new capabilities made possible by AI, machine learning, and deep learning. More research and development are being done on this autonomy in a variety of surgical procedures, from those that are now being utilised, such as cochlear implants, to experimental techniques such as fully autonomous intestinal anastomosis.
‘High-level autonomous features are replacing the low-level automation of the first medical robots in terms of task complexity. With few official restrictions and very contentious ethical questions, the legal and ethical ramifications of autonomous activities by robots remain a topic of discussion.’
- Rivero-Moreno Y, Rodriguez M, Losada-Muñoz P, et al. (January 14, 2024) Autonomous Robotic Surgery: Has the Future Arrived? Cureus 16(1): e52243. doi:10.7759/cureus.52243
