IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE USEFUL FOR IMPROVING SURGICAL OUTCOMES IN HEAD AND NECK SURGERY? difgonzalezpa@unal.edu.co

PE037

IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE USEFUL FOR IMPROVING SURGICAL OUTCOMES IN HEAD AND NECK SURGERY?

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Colombia

Oral or Poster

Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as an innovative tool to support decision-making in surgery. In head and neck surgery, where procedures are highly complex and clinical error margins are minimal, AI promises to optimize surgical outcomes thru predictive analysis, diagnostic support, surgical planning, and postoperative rehabilitation.

Methods: A thematic review of the literature in English published up to 2025 was conducted, including systematic reviews, original articles, and clinical studies focused on AI applications in head and neck surgery. Aspects related to the prediction of complications, surgical planning, oncological margins, decision-making, and postoperative recovery were analyzed.

Results: AI has proven useful in predicting clinical outcomes, identifying surgical margins, image classification, risk stratification, designing surgical simulations, and rehabilitative follow-up. However, its clinical integration is limited by the lack of external validation, variability between models, and ethical challenges related to medical responsibility and algorithmic bias. Discussion: AI can significantly contribute to improving surgical outcomes in head and neck surgery. Nevertheless, it is necessary to strengthen clinical evidence, standardize databases, and ensure model interpretability for its safe implementation.

Conclusions: AI represents a promising tool to transform head and neck surgery. Its clinical utility depends on continuous validation, responsible development, and multidisciplinary collaboration.