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Hogue et al. Art Int Surg. 2025;5:350-60 Artificial
DOI: 10.20517/ais.2025.19
Intelligence Surgery

Review Open Access

From scalpel to software: the potential role of AI in
plastic surgery training - a scoping review

1
1
1
Elizabeth Hogue , Sidney Nottingham , Andrew James , Fernando A. Herrera 1,2
1
College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
2
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
Correspondence to: Prof. Fernando A. Herrera, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical University of South
Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas St., Charleston, SC 29425, USA. E-mail: herreraf@musc.edu
How to cite this article: Hogue E, Nottingham S, James A, Herrera FA. From scalpel to software: the potential role of AI in plastic
surgery training - a scoping review. Art Int Surg. 2025;5:350-60. https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/ais.2025.19
Received: 4 Mar 2025 First Decision: 28 May 2025 Revised: 10 Jun 2025 Accepted: 20 Jun 2025 Published: 8 Jul 2025

Academic Editors: Andrew Gumbs, Ernest S. Chiu Copy Editor: Pei-Yun Wang Production Editor: Pei-Yun Wang

Abstract
Aim: The evolving capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing medicine, and AI integration into
surgical training has produced novel tools that are altering the educational landscape. Therefore, the aim of this
review is to demonstrate current and future applications of AI in plastic surgery training.

Methods: A detailed search was performed using PubMed and other search engines for applications of AI within
surgical education.

Results: Of papers that met inclusion criteria, eight addressed AI in plastic surgery education, with others
addressing general surgery (n = 4), neurosurgery (n = 3), endodontics (n = 1), obstetrics/gynecology (n = 1),
orthopedic surgery (n = 1), urology (n = 1), and craniofacial surgery (n = 1). Three key areas of research emerged:
supplemental/independent learning, operative skills practice, and resident feedback.

Conclusions: Novel applications of various AI algorithms within these areas were explored. The limited integration
of AI into plastic surgery education compared with other surgical specialties and the limitations inherent to AI were
also highlighted. Though limited research has specifically examined the applications of AI in plastic surgery
education, its potential as a versatile educational tool within the field is evident. Novel AI algorithms are already
enhancing study tools, surgical skill acquisition, and feedback. Further study is imperative to investigate outlets that
leverage AI for the advancement of plastic surgery education.

© 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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