The Ethical Challenges of Artificial Intelligence in Plastic Surgery

Introduction  Artificial intelligence (Al) has been growing around the world and in Portugal due to the rapid progress of technology. Its use raises important ethical questions; therefore the establishment of ethical standards is essential for an adequate and lasting application of Al. The present article aims to explore the role that Al may have in plastic surgery as well as the ethical issues that may arise due to its use.

Objective  To investigate the barriers to the introduction of Al in the field of plastic surgery. The subsidiary objective is to address the ethical aspects related to this topic.

Materials and Methods  Between December 2023 and February 2024, we conducted a search on the PubMed/MEDLINE and Science Direct databases for articles that answered the research question. All titles and abstracts found were systematically evaluated. Those that were considered relevant were later read in full to be compared with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. For each of the studies, a table was created with the authors, the place and year of publication, and the conclusions.

Results  We selected eight articles that enabled us to discuss several points, namely: the consequences of the use of Al in plastic surgery in terms of data protection, privacy, equity, and transparency of algorithms.

Conclusion  Being aware of the barriers and ethical dilemmas that arise when using Al in plastic surgery is essential for quality clinical practice. Recognizing and addressing these barriers earlier makes it possible to legislate and regulate this surgical filed with technological advances to maintain safety in clinical practice and patient confidence.

Keywords
artificial intelligence; ethics; plastic surgery; privacy; technology