AI in Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery, or robot-supported surgery, allow doctors to do many type of complex processes with more precision, flexibility and control than that can be done with conventional techniques. Robotic surgery is usually associated with minimal invasive surgery — procedures performed through tiny incisions. The maximum used clinical robotic surgical system includes a camera arm and mechanical arms with surgical instruments attached to them. The surgeon directs the arms while seating at a computer console in the operation theatre. These surgeries have been successfully carried out on eye, knee, kidney, gallbladder, in cancerous conditions, in laparoscopy and hernia operating procedures, in gastrointestinal surgery, as well as in cases related to oncology, urology, orthopaedic and cardiology among many.
AI can improve robotic surgery by reducing the surgeons’ tension, improving decision making and accuracy. AI algorithms organize the heavy duty surgical procedures by zeroing in on the tools , and using superior imaging techniques and computer simulations create a detailed surgical plan that takes into account the patient’s unique anatomy and any possible complications. AI algorithms also supervise operations, monitor the patient’s vital signs and convey warning signals, where needed. These algorithms and models decide the trajectory of the robotic arm, give intelligent feedback to the surgeon, adjust the force applied by the arm, enhance the user interface of the console and guide surgical decisions. AI and Machine Learning are used for motion planning, computer vision, force sensing, teleoperation and predictive analytics.. Machine used Surgical Force determination is more accurate than Human determined and in case of any rare Machine Error, the human is always ready to step in. In fact the whole operation processes becomes data analysis oriented by machines which help in human decision making. And the results are good and higher accuracy, the ultimate goal of any surgery . The Robot does not perform the surgery on its own but works as an extension of the surgeon’s hands allowing more accurate and controlled movements which are not affected by any emotion. India boasts of 66 robotic surgery centres with 71 robotic systems already installed till June 2023.
For all that is good about AI, it cannot substitute for surgeon’s intuition which is a critical determinant of patient outcomes. We should ideally add Robotic Surgery as an extended surgeon arm and not be a replacer of it .What is your opinion? Do share with us.