Research Reviews Artificial Intelligence Usage in Facial Plastic Procedures

New research published in Clinical Otolaryngology reviews the prospects of artificial intelligence (AI) and its application in facial plastic surgery. Dr. Nuray Bayar Muluk of Kirikkale University in Turkey performed a literature search using PubMed, MEDLINE, Google, and Google Scholar search engines between 2000 and 2025. 

Results showed that AI is poised to impact the triad of patient care, education, and research. It aids clinician decision-making and forecasting surgical outcomes, and serves as virtual conversational agents for patient engagement. 

Primary areas of AI exploration, Dr. Muluk noted, include machine learning (ML), neural networks (NN), and natural language processing (NLP). ML models have demonstrated the ability to detect facial features such as larger nasofrontal and nasolabial angles, which correlate with increased attractiveness after rhinoplasty. Efficient resource allocation may be achieved through ML models guiding the analysis of post-operative free flap viability in facial skin cancer reconstruction. During online consultation, AI virtual assistants (AIVA) utilizing NLP interpret human speech intent, respond through dialogue. Unsupervised ML in facial analysis software is currently employed to diagnosis rare diseases by recognizing dysmorphic craniofacial features in 2-dimensional photographs. AI also finds application in assessing post-operative outcomes and supports surgical training and research. 

“The use of AI in health care is on the rise,” Dr. Muluk concluded, “contributing to advancements in pre-operative assessments, predicting prognoses, managing patients, and monitoring postoperative progress. Surgeons are encouraged to explore collaboration with data scientists to shape the evolution of AI, aiming to enhance surgical efficiency, improve patient outcomes and potentially alleviate the workload associated with repetitive administrative duties.”