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Treger et al. Art Int Surg. 2025;5:126-32 Artificial
DOI: 10.20517/ais.2024.66
Intelligence Surgery

Commentary Open Access

Advantages and ethics of artificial intelligence in
plastic and reconstructive surgery

Dylan Treger , Griffin Harris, Seth R. Thaller

Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
33136, USA.
Correspondence to: Dylan Treger, Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Miami
Miller School of Medicine, 1600 NW 10th Ave #1140, Miami, FL 33136, USA. E-mail: dyltreger@gmail.com
How to cite this article: Treger D, Harris G, Thaller SR. Advantages and ethics of artificial intelligence in plastic and
reconstructive surgery. Art Int Surg. 2025;5:126-32. https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/ais.2024.66
Received: 13 Aug 2024 First Decision: 16 Oct 2024 Revised: 30 Oct 2024 Accepted: 11 Dec 2024 Published: 24 Feb 2025

Academic Editors: Eyad Elyan, Andrew Gumbs Copy Editor: Pei-Yun Wang Production Editor: Pei-Yun Wang

Abstract
As artificial intelligence (AI) technologies evolve in sophistication, they offer the potential to benefit various
aspects of plastic and reconstructive surgery practice. From enhancing surgical precision within the operating room
to streamlining administrative tasks and supporting the diagnosis and treatment of patients, AI may grow into an
invaluable tool that redefines standards of care within plastic surgery. Given the nascent and largely theoretical role
of AI in plastic surgery, numerous questions arise regarding its safety, actual utility, ethical considerations, and
policies needed to regulate its use. This manuscript aims to provide commentary on AI in healthcare and to discuss
an alternative viewpoint of its use in plastic surgery. Americans remain hesitant about healthcare providers
leveraging AI in their care. Ongoing scrutiny is required to protect patients from unintended sequelae, safeguard
their privacy, mitigate bias, and reduce harm. Early legislation by the United States federal government has aimed
to define a role for AI in healthcare, yet more explicit guidance is required. Uncertainty in medico-legal implications
begs the question of where liability would fall if AI use causes adverse outcomes. If applied appropriately, AI may
ultimately improve patient outcomes and satisfaction with their plastic surgery care. With less energy dedicated
toward automatable tasks and tools that push the envelope of human performance, plastic surgeons may be better
equipped to care for their patients. We advocate for a cautiously optimistic approach to AI’s incorporation within
plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, deep learning, ethics, large language models, machine learning, plastic
surgery

© The Author(s) 2025. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, sharing,
adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, for any purpose, even commercially, as
long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and
indicate if changes were made.

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