Scientists discover new applications of machine learning in the field of plastic surgery, according to an article published in journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), in April 2017.

Machine learning analyzes historical data to develop algorithms capable of knowledge acquisition. Dr. Kanevsky and coauthors say, “Machine learning has already been applied, with great success, to process large amounts of complex data in medicine and surgery.”

“Machine learning has the potential to become a powerful tool in plastic surgery, allowing surgeons to harness complex clinical data to help guide key clinical decision-making,” write Dr. Jonathan Kanevsky of McGill University, Montreal, and colleagues. They highlight some key areas in which machine learning and “Big Data” could contribute to progress in plastic and reconstructive surgery.