Avicenna J Care Health Oper Room. 3(1):42.
doi: 10.34172/ajchor.89
Letter
The Transformative Role of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Operating Room
Behzad Imani 1, * 
Author information:
1Department of Operating Room, School of Paramedicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
Copyright and License Information
© 2025 The Author(s); Published by Hamadan University of Medical Sciences.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Please cite this article as follows: Imani B. The transformative role of artificial intelligence in modern operating rooms. Avicenna J Care Health Oper Room. 2025;3(1):42. doi:10.34172/ajchor.89
Introduction
The advent of Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare has unlocked unprecedented opportunities for innovation in surgery. By leveraging machine learning, computer vision, and robotics, AI systems are augmenting surgical workflows, reducing human errors, and personalizing patient care.
Applications in the Operating Room
Preoperative Planning
AI algorithms analyze medical imaging (e.g., MRI and CT scans) to identify anatomical anomalies, optimize incision sites, and simulate surgical outcomes. Tools such as IBM Watson and DeepMind improve diagnostic accuracy and surgical preparedness.
Intraoperative Assistance
Real-time analytics: AI-powered systems, such as the FDA-approved Surgical Navigation Advanced Platform, provide surgeons with live feedback on tissue perfusion, organ displacement, or tumor margins (1).
Robotic surgery: Platforms such as the da Vinci system, enhanced with AI, enable minimally invasive procedures with sub-millimeter precision. Moreover, AI mitigates hand tremors and predicts instrument needs.
Predictive alerts: Machine learning models monitor vital signs and predict complications (e.g., hemorrhage) before they escalate.
Postoperative Care
AI predicts recovery trajectories, detects infections via wound imaging, and personalizes rehabilitation plans (2).
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
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Data privacy: Secure handling of sensitive patient data remains critical.
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Algorithm bias: Training datasets must represent diverse populations to avoid skewed outcomes.
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Human-AI collaboration: Surgeons must retain ultimate decision-making authority, with AI serving as an adjunct tool.
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Regulatory hurdles: Stringent validation and approval processes are essential to ensure safety (3).
Future Directions
Hybrid ORs integrating AI, augmented reality, and the Internet of Things devices will redefine surgical standards. Continued collaboration between engineers, surgeons, and ethicists is vital to address technical and moral dilemmas.
Conclusion
In general, AI’s integration into ORs promises to elevate surgical precision, reduce complications, and democratize access to high-quality care. However, its success hinges on addressing ethical, technical, and human-centric challenges. As AI evolves, its role must remain complementary to—not a replacement for—surgeons’ expertise.
References
- Birkhoff DC, van Dalen A, Schijven MP. A Review on the Current Applications of Artificial Intelligence in the Operating Room. Surg Innov 2021; 28(5):611-9. doi: 10.1177/1553350621996961 [Crossref] [ Google Scholar]
- Mi D, Li Y, Zhang K, Huang C, Shan W, Zhang J. Exploring intelligent hospital management mode based on artificial intelligence. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1182329. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1182329 [Crossref] [ Google Scholar]
- Hovlid E, von Plessen C, Haug K, Aslaksen AB, Bukve O. Patient experiences with interventions to reduce surgery cancellations: a qualitative study. BMC Surg 2013; 13:30. doi: 10.1186/1471-2482-13-30 [Crossref] [ Google Scholar]