Artificial intelligence in the diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis: a narrative review

Abstract

Artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare. Artificial intelligence can improve patient care by analyzing large amounts of data to help make more informed decisions regarding treatments and enhance medical research through analyzing and interpreting data from clinical trials and research projects to identify subtle but meaningful trends beyond ordinary perception. Artificial intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence in computers, where systems of artificial intelligence can perform tasks that require human-like intelligence like speech recognition, visual perception, pattern-recognition, decision-making, and language processing. Artificial intelligence has several subdivisions, including machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics. By automating specific routine tasks, artificial intelligence can improve healthcare efficiency. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, the systems of artificial intelligence can offer new opportunities for enhancing both the efficiency and effectiveness of surgical procedures, particularly regarding training of minimally invasive surgery. As artificial intelligence continues to advance, it is likely to play an increasingly significant role in the field of surgical learning. Physicians have assisted to a spreading role of artificial intelligence in the last decade. This involved different medical specialties such as ophthalmology, cardiology, urology, but also abdominal surgery. In addition to improvements in diagnosis, ascertainment of efficacy of treatment and autonomous actions, artificial intelligence has the potential to improve surgeons’ ability to better decide if acute surgery is indicated or not. The role of artificial intelligence in the emergency departments has also been investigated. We considered one of the most common condition the emergency surgeons have to face, acute appendicitis, to assess the state of the art of artificial intelligence in this frequent acute disease. The role of artificial intelligence in diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis will be discussed in this narrative review.

Diagnostic pathways in acute appendicitis; clinical score plus ultrasound outperform CT‐scan or upfront surgery especially in doubtful cases

“…In these circumstances, the use of artificial intelligence really seems to be a valuable tool in helping patients suffering from acute appendicitis, not only in diagnosing the condition but also in guiding treatment, whether surgical or not, and in preventing postoperative complications. 3 Appendicitis has been considered for decades a disease where surgery was mandatory to avoid severe morbidity or death; the so-called negative appendectomy being a necessary evil far better than missing a complicated appendicitis. This idea reaches recent times, when with the advent of minimally invasive surgery for the management of right iliac fossa pain, appendectomy during diagnostic laparoscopy has been advised even in case of no inflammation found.…”