research
AI across robotic thoracic surgery
A first-author review of AI applications in robotic thoracic surgery and the evidence needed for clinical translation.
- Role
- First and corresponding author
- Status
- Published online · In Press, Corrected Proof
Context and real problem
AI applications in robotic thoracic surgery address different decisions: preparing for surgery, interpreting the operative scene, assessing recovery, and supporting training. A useful review needs to show where each application fits and what evidence would support its use in practice.
Andres’s role
I am the first and corresponding author of this review in Thoracic Surgery Clinics. My contribution is part of a collaborative research and scientific-writing effort that examines current applications and future directions for AI-enhanced robot-assisted thoracic surgery.
Collaborators and setting
I co-authored the review with Sara Razzaq, Aidan Halley, and Lana Schumacher. The article brings together clinical and technical questions across the robotic thoracic surgery workflow. Authorship identifies the shared output without assigning every literature search, analysis, or writing task to one person.
Methods and tools
The review maps AI applications across preoperative planning, intraoperative assistance, postoperative prediction, and training. It considers computer vision, prediction, decision support, automation, and quality and safety monitoring, alongside the demands of validation and operating-room integration. This is a review of the literature, not a systematic review or a clinical trial.
Responsibility and safety
Much of the evidence remains before deployment. Technical feasibility and model performance need to be distinguished from demonstrated clinical value. External validation, workflow fit, privacy, consent, bias, human override, and ongoing monitoring all shape what responsible implementation would require.
Outputs and outcomes
Bravo A, Razzaq S, Halley A, Schumacher L. Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Robot-Assisted Thoracic Surgery: Current Applications and Future Directions. Thoracic Surgery Clinics. Published online October 12, 2026. doi:10.1016/j.thorsurg.2026.09.002.
The publication provides a map of applications and translation challenges. It does not establish that AI improves patient outcomes across these settings.
What I learned
The workflow is part of the research question. I want a review to help readers locate an application, understand the strength of its evidence, and see what needs to be tested before it can support a clinical decision.
Current status and links
The review was published online on October 12, 2026 and is In Press, Corrected Proof. The publisher record and DOI are linked below. The citation uses the available-online date while volume, issue, and pages remain unassigned.