Artificial intelligence is transforming the medical industry, and Sina Bari, a plastic surgery expert, explained it’s changing his field too. People often fear change, but professionals like Bari welcome the superior efficiency and outcomes artificial intelligence can offer.
What Is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial intelligence in the medical field is when machines act and think like humans. It is arguably the most impactful modern technology but hasn’t reached its full potential.
For now, these machines that think like humans are assisting in treatment planning, decision-making, robotic surgeries, and more. When paired with the expertise of human doctors, AI technology provides positive results.
Artificial Intelligence and Plastic Surgery
Aesthetic surgery, also known as plastic surgery, sees many benefits thanks to artificial intelligence. The following are a few forms of AI technology plastic surgeons currently use:
- machine learning
- facial recognition
- natural language processing
- big data
- deep learning
- and more
Artificial intelligence aids Sina Bari and others with preoperative assessments, post-op decision-making, case planning, and more. The goal is to make medical care more productive and improve patient experiences.
Plastic surgeons expect artificial intelligence will help them effectively serve more patients in a shorter time, which means more people receive the medical care they need.
“We’re already pleased with the benefits we experience thanks to artificial technologies in this field,” Sina Bari said. “We’re able to streamline processes and help more people lead healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lives.”
Top Technologies Assisting Plastic Surgeons Right Now
Several technologies have already been tested and put to work in plastic surgery. The following are a few of the most prevalent.
Facial Recognition
Facial recognition technology (FRT) interprets facial characteristics. This is especially useful in the field of plastic surgery.
FRT can make genetic evaluations and detect rare genetic conditions many physicians have never seen in person. Some FRT technologies can also measure other psychological and physiological indexes, such as stress level and heart rate, solely from a front-facing camera.
Medical Imaging
Artificial intelligence is already used in radiology, providing AI cancer detection and more. This technology can identify features in images efficiently and precisely, so doctors can get to work solving health issues more quickly.
“We are already using artificial intelligence 3D and 4D imaging in plastic surgery,” Dr. Bari said. “For years, it has helped us simulate results so that patients can see possibilities before an operation.”
Sina Bari, MD, Expert
Sina Bari is a Director of Medical AI. He previously served as reconstructive surgeon for Veterans at the Palo Alto Veterans Administration Hospital. He joined a San Francisco-based plastic surgery practice before combining his medical expertise with technology to help advance medicine through artificial intelligence.