Published : 21 October 2026

Artificial Intelligence in Plastic and Hand Surgery – Potential or Provocation?

  • Mohammed Misbahuddin-Leis
  • Elias Polykandriotis
  • Boris Radeleff
  • Zeki Ilhan
  • Muzaffer Ankolvi

Volume 13, Issue 2, (2026) Jurnal Plastik Rekonstruksi | Pages : 61-70

DOI: 10.14228/jprjournal.v13i2.48   Reader : 0 times PDF Download : 0 times

Abstract

Introduction: Surgical specialities like plastic and hand surgery, which depend on precision, aesthetic, and functional outcomes, are integrating AI, creating potential and challenges. AI is rapidly transforming clinical procedures, requiring evaluation of its potential to improve clinical care and the challenges it faces. This narrative review critically evaluates the clinical applications, emerging innovations, and ethical challenges of AI in plastic and hand surgery, synthesising evidence on both its transformative potential and the challenges it presents.

Method: We conducted a narrative review of peer-reviewed literature using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (2018-2025). Keywords included “artificial intelligence,” “machine learning,” “deep learning,” “plastic surgery,” “hand surgery,” “microsurgery,” and “convolutional neural networks.” We included studies on clinical applications, technological innovations, and ethical considerations. This review differs from existing syntheses by providing a balanced “Potential vs Provocation” framework that systematically addresses both benefits and challenges while proposing concrete implementation strategies for clinical practice.

Results: AI technologies such as convolutional neural networks and large language models classify skin lesions, evaluate aesthetics, and automate operative documentation.

Conclusion: Innovations such as generative AI, mixed reality, and predictive analytics in microsurgical procedures, patient-specific simulations, and smart rehabilitation have driven tremendous advances in this field. Despite this potential, significant challenges remain, including data bias, limited AI model interpretability, and concerns about liability and privacy. AI in plastic and hand surgery has significant potential to strengthen surgeons; however, integrating it requires acceptance, education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ethical guidelines to address the challenges of this technological evolution.

Data Availability

All data generated during this study are included in this published article [and its supplementary information files].

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Keywords

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • AI in Surgery
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Hand Surgery
  • Machine Learning
  • Deep Learning
  • Convolutional Neural Networks

Author Information

Mohammed Misbahuddin-Leis

Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Augsburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany.

Email: misbahuddin.mohammed@outlook.com

ORCID : https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5323-2663

Elias Polykandriotis

Department of Plastic, Hand, and Microsurgery, Sana Klinikum Hof GmbH, Academic Teaching Hospital of the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.

Email: Elias.Polykandriotis@sana.de

ORCID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8152-6420

Boris Radeleff

Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Sana Klinikum Hof GmbH, Academic Teaching Hospital of the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany, Germany.

Email: boris.radeleff@sana.de

ORCID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5257-0852

Zeki Ilhan

Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Sana Klinikum Hof GmbH, Academic Teaching Hospital of the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany, Germany.

Email: dr.zeki.ilhan@gmail.com

ORCID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6458-2316

Muzaffer Ankolvi

Department of Interventional Radiology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Email: Muzaffer.Ankolvi@sana.de

ORCID : https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2358-0326

Article History

Submitted : 11 September 2025
Revised : 14 February 2026
Published : 21 October 2026

How to Cite This

Misbahuddin-Leis, M., Polykandriotis, E., Radeleff, B., Ilhan, Z., & Ankolvi, M. (2026). Artificial Intelligence in Plastic and Hand Surgery – Potential or Provocation?. Jurnal Plastik Rekonstruksi, 13(2), 61–70. https://doi.org/10.14228/jprjournal.v13i2.48

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