Use of Artifical Intelligence in Modern Paediatric Surgery – Review

Abstract

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in pediatric surgery represents a paradigm shift in healthcare, promising enhanced diagnostic accuracy, treatment efficiency, and overall patient outcomes. This literature review explores the transformative impact of AI across diverse pediatric surgical conditions, including appendicitis, intussusception, Hirschsprung disease, intestinal perforation in preterm infants, developmental dysplasia of the hip, and testicular torsion.

Through an analysis of multiple studies, the review elucidates the proficiency of AI models in diagnosing and managing these conditions. Notably, AI algorithms have demonstrated exceptional performance in differentiating between complicated and uncomplicated cases of pediatric appendicitis, diagnosing intussusception with superior accuracy compared to human radiologists, and automating the identification of ganglion cells in histopathological samples for Hirschsprung disease detection.

Furthermore, AI predictive tools have shown promise in distinguishing between necrotizing enterocolitis and spontaneous intestinal perforation preoperatively, automating measurement processes for developmental dysplasia of the hip diagnosis, and predicting testicular torsion with excellent accuracy, thus guiding timely interventions.

While underscoring the significant advancements facilitated by AI, the review also addresses associated challenges, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balance between AI automation and human oversight for optimal patient care and safety. It calls for further research, validation studies, and ethical guidelines to ensure responsible implementation and maximize the potential benefits of AI technologies in pediatric surgical care.

In conclusion, this literature review underscores AI's promising role in revolutionizing pediatric surgery, offering valuable insights for clinicians and researchers alike. By leveraging sophisticated algorithms and machine learning techniques, AI has the potential to augment diagnostic precision, treatment efficacy, and overall patient outcomes, marking a transformative era in pediatric surgical practice.