Artificial intelligence in plastic surgery, where do we stand?

Since the pandemic, artificial intelligence (AI) has been integrated into several fields and everyday life as well. Healthcare is not an exception. Plastic surgery is a key focus area of this technological revolution, with hundreds of studies and reviews already published on the use of AI in plastics. This review summarizes the entirety of the available literature from 2020 to provide a comprehensive overview on AI innovation in plastic surgery. A systematic literature review (following the PRISMA guidelines) of all studies and papers that examined the application of AI in plastic surgery was carried out using Medline, Cochrane, Embase, and Google Scholar. Outcomes of interest included the growing role of AI in clinical consultations, diagnosing potentials, surgical planning, intraoperative, and post-operative uses. Ninety-six studies were included in this review; six examined the role of AI in consultations, fifteen used AI in diagnoses and assessments, seventeen involved AI in surgical planning, fifteen reported on AI use in post-operative predictions and management, and nine involved administrations and documentation. This comprehensive review of available literature found AI to be capable of transforming care throughout the entire patient journey. Certain challenges and concerns persist, but a collaborative effort can solve these issues to bring about a new era of medicine, where AI aids doctors in the pursuit of optimal patient care.