Augmented intelligence in "robotic" liver surgery: Integrating augmented reality and artificial intelligence for...

Area of Science:

• Surgical Technology
• Medical Imaging
• Artificial Intelligence in Medicine

Background:

• Robotic liver surgery offers improved dexterity but faces challenges in intraoperative navigation and achieving safe resection margins, particularly for deep tumors.
• Hepatocellular carcinoma resection requires precise anatomical guidance and margin control, which remain difficult with current robotic systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current evidence and future prospects of augmented intelligence (AR and AI) in robotic liver surgery.
• To focus on the role of augmented intelligence in real-time anatomical guidance and margin control during hepatectomy.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature and technological developments in augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) for robotic liver surgery.
• Analysis of AR/AI applications for 3D liver reconstructions, tumor segmentation, and vascular structure visualization.

Main Results:

• Augmented intelligence enables real-time overlay of 3D liver models and segmented structures, aiding intraoperative decision-making.
• Challenges such as organ deformation, registration errors, and lack of standardization currently limit widespread adoption.

Conclusions:

• Augmented intelligence holds significant promise for advancing robotic liver surgery by improving navigation and safety.
• Future applications aim for more personalized, data-driven hepatectomies, overcoming current surgical and anatomical limitations.