The Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence and Plastic Surgery: Where Can It Help, and Where Does It Fall Short?

Artificial intelligence has begun to change how people access information about plastic surgery and how healthcare services may be supported. Patients can direct their questions about aesthetic procedures to AI assistants, while surgeons may use these technologies to review selected data, compare measurements and search scientific literature.

However, the ability of artificial intelligence to access information quickly does not mean that it can replace a plastic surgeon. Plastic surgery requires not only theoretical knowledge, but also physical examination, clinical experience, surgical skill, aesthetic judgement and professional responsibility. It is therefore important to understand where artificial intelligence can serve as a supportive tool and where its limitations begin.

How Can Artificial Intelligence Help Patients?

Artificial intelligence can explain the basic features of aesthetic procedures in patient-friendly language. It may provide general information on subjects such as the difference between a tummy tuck and liposuction, whether an implant may be used during a breast lift or which procedures may be included in body contouring surgery.

Explanations of medical terminology may make the research process easier for patients. Artificial intelligence may also help them prepare questions before a plastic surgery consultation and organise the information they have gathered about different procedures. Used in this way, it may support patients in attending consultations with a better understanding of the available options.

However, it should be remembered that the information provided is general. Learning how an operation is performed does not mean that the procedure is necessary or suitable for a particular individual.

How Can Artificial Intelligence Support Plastic Surgeons?

Plastic surgeons may use artificial intelligence to search scientific publications, identify common features within large datasets and compare selected measurements. Systems developed for specific purposes may assist with organising patient records, evaluating clinical photographs in a standardised manner and reviewing data used in surgical planning.

Artificial intelligence may save time in routine processes and allow large volumes of information to be assessed more quickly. However, the information generated by these systems must be reviewed by the surgeon. Artificial intelligence may produce assessments that are incomplete, inaccurate or inconsistent with the clinical context.

Can Artificial Intelligence Replace a Physical Examination?

Individualised planning in plastic surgery requires a physical examination. The plastic surgeon evaluates the thickness, elasticity and degree of laxity of the skin. The distribution of fat tissue, muscle structure, asymmetries, scars and the effects of previous operations are also assessed.

Artificial intelligence can see the external contours visible in a photograph, but it cannot touch the skin, feel how the tissues move or examine the abdominal wall. It may be unable to distinguish reliably between two conditions that appear similar in an image but have different anatomical causes. Visual analysis therefore cannot replace a face-to-face examination.

Can Artificial Intelligence Make Individualised Surgical Decisions?

A patient’s suitability for a tummy tuck, liposuction, BBL or breast surgery cannot be determined from external appearance alone. Medical history, current medications, smoking, weight fluctuations, pregnancy plans and previous operations may all affect the surgical decision.

Artificial intelligence can interpret the information provided to it, but it cannot confirm that the information is complete. It cannot evaluate the relationship between clinical findings and medical history in the same way as a surgeon. It should therefore not make definitive statements such as, “This is the right operation for you.”

Why May Artificial Intelligence Fall Short in Aesthetic Assessment?

Artificial intelligence may treat facial and body features that frequently appear in its training images as ideal. A narrow waist, pronounced buttocks or certain facial proportions that are popular on social media may be reflected in its suggestions without sufficient consideration of individual anatomy.

Aesthetic assessment, however, does not involve applying the same measurements to everyone. Skeletal structure, tissue characteristics, the balance between different areas of the body and the patient’s expectations must all be considered together. Artificial intelligence may recognise a popular appearance, but it cannot determine whether that appearance would be natural, proportionate and safe for a particular individual.

The Limitations of Artificial Intelligence in Risk and Complication Management

Artificial intelligence can list the general risks associated with an operation. However, determining an individual patient’s level of risk requires a combined assessment of physical examination findings, medical history, test results and the details of the planned procedure.

If an unexpected situation develops during surgery, the surgeon must make an immediate decision and, when necessary, modify the original plan. After surgery, symptoms must be assessed to determine whether they are part of normal healing or a sign of a complication. Artificial intelligence cannot examine the patient, perform an intervention or assume medical responsibility.

How Should Artificial Intelligence Be Positioned in Plastic Surgery?

Artificial intelligence may serve as a tool that facilitates access to information, organises data and supports selected clinical processes. It may help patients prepare for consultations and allow plastic surgeons to review certain information more efficiently.

However, it cannot replace physical examination, clinical experience or surgical responsibility. The appropriate role of artificial intelligence in plastic surgery is not to make decisions on behalf of the patient or the surgeon, but to support specialist assessment. Individualised decisions about aesthetic surgery should continue to be made between the patient and the plastic surgeon.

Physician Information

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sedat Tatar is a Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery specialist who is Double Board Certified by two international boards. He holds the titles of Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and Fellow of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (FEBOPRAS).

His international professional memberships include ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) and ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).

His clinic is located in Istanbul and is officially authorized by the Turkish Ministry of Health as a Health Tourism Center. His company is registered in the United Kingdom & Wales.

CONTACT INFORMATION

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