Robot-Assisted Surgical Technology in Plastic Surgery: Evolution, Clinical Applications, and Future Perspectives

Area of Science:

• Robotics in Medicine
• Surgical Technology
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Robot-assisted surgery offers enhanced precision and stability in plastic surgery compared to traditional methods.
• This review examines the evolution, clinical uses, and future outlook of robotic systems in the field.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the technological advancements in robotic systems for plastic surgery.
• To summarize the clinical applications of robot-assisted surgery in various plastic surgery subspecialties.
• To discuss the future perspectives and potential improvements in robotic surgery for plastic and reconstructive procedures.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search identified studies on robot-assisted surgical procedures in plastic surgery.
• Reviewed the development of representative robotic systems and their clinical use.
• Included applications in breast reconstruction, microsurgery, craniofacial reconstruction, and hair transplantation.

Main Results:

• Robot-assisted surgery improves accuracy, reduces complications, and enhances recovery in plastic surgery.
• Challenges include high costs, technical complexity, and lack of haptic feedback.
• Artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and haptic sensing show potential to overcome limitations.

Conclusions:

• Robot-assisted surgery advances plastic and reconstructive surgery with enhanced precision and visualization.
• Integrating AI, AR, and haptic feedback can improve safety, efficiency, and clinical application.