Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39999009›Full record

ReviewInterdisciplinary cardiovascular and thoracic surgery2025

The ethical considerations of integrating artificial intelligence into surgery: a review.

Arian Arjomandi Rad, Robert Vardanyan, Thanos Athanasiou, Jos Maessen, Peyman Sardari Nia

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Interdisciplinary cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 19 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
19citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

19 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Review
  8. Review
  9. Review
  10. Review
  11. Article
  12. Review
  13. Review
  14. Review
  15. Review
  16. Review
  17. Review
  18. Artificial intelligence in ophthalmology: opportunities, challenges, and ethical considerations.Medical hypothesis, discovery & innovation ophthalmology journal · 2025
    Review
  19. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Arian Arjomandi RadDepartment of Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-4931-4049
Robert VardanyanDepartment of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.
Thanos AthanasiouDepartment of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-2525-5515
Jos MaessenDepartment of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.
Peyman Sardari NiaDepartment of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0003-2296-1497

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into surgery raises significant ethical concerns, including the impact on autonomy, human authority and the patient-doctor relationship. This study underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach to navigate these ethical dilemmas, involving stakeholders from various fields. A comprehensive literature review up to March 2024 was conducted to assess the ethical implications of AI applications in surgery. This included an examination of data privacy, informed consent, algorithmic bias, the role of advanced robotics, and the impact on surgeons' decision-making. The study also considered the development of autonomous surgical robots and their ethical implications. The review highlights that while AI can enhance surgical precision and improve clinical decision-making, it also poses several ethical challenges. AI's ability to support decision-making risks undermining surgeons' autonomy and judgement, raising concerns about over-reliance on technology. Issues such as data privacy, algorithmic bias and equitable access to AI-driven tools were identified as key ethical concerns. Autonomous surgical robots, while promising, introduce complex questions about accountability and liability, particularly when unexpected outcomes occur. Effective integration of AI into surgical practices demands the development of ethical frameworks that respect both the capabilities of AI and the irreplaceable value of human judgement. Balancing technological advancement with ethical integrity is essential to safeguard patient-centred care and ensure equitable access to AI benefits in healthcare.

Indexed as

Artificial IntelligenceRobotic Surgical ProceduresSurgical Procedures, OperativeClinical Decision-MakingHumansInformed ConsentPhysician-Patient RelationsArtificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Medical Ethics, Surgery

Identifiers

PMID39999009
PMCPMC11904299

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.