Recent advancements in surgical technology have been marked by the rapid clinical adoption of intelligent systems. Robotic surgery, empowered by artificial intelligence (AI) assistance, demonstrates significant procedural enhancements: meta-analyses reveal a 25% reduction in operative time and a 30% decrease in intraoperative complications compared to traditional manual approaches during minimally invasive procedures.[
1] A scoping review identifies 129 studies on intraoperative AI applications in robotic surgery, with 23% enabling task autonomy beyond basic assistance, though most technologies remain preclinical.[
2] Technological innovations such as multimodal navigation systems integrate preoperative 3D imaging and intraoperative 2D guidance, achieving sub-millimeter instrument registration accuracy for precise vascular navigation.[
3] Concurrently, advances in multimodal imaging fusion and AI facilitate real-time integration of computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and endoscopic video, enhancing surgical decision support and driving the trend toward intelligent navigation.[
4] Deep learning models further improve instrument recognition and segmentation in robot-assisted procedures, bolstering intraoperative feedback and surgical education.[
5] Today, this revolution is advancing in an even more profound direction. For instance, surgical robots have transcended the limitations of being “mechanical assistants” and evolved into “intelligent collaborators.” The Hierarchical Surgical Robot Transformer (SRT-H) robot developed by Johns Hopkins University adopts a two-stage hierarchical framework, with high-level policies responsible for task planning and low-level policies for generating motion trajectories, achieving a 100% success rate in cholecystectomy experiments.[
6] These developments underscore the growing evidence for the efficacy of surgical robots, intelligent navigation, and intraoperative AI in modern practice. By reshaping clinical workflows, enhancing precision, and improving patient outcomes, they provide a compelling foundation for the launch of intelligent surgery research, which aims to consolidate these technologies into a unified framework for the future of surgery.
Under this background, when surgical instruments meet AI and clinical experience collides with big data, and surgical medicine undergoes a profound paradigm revolution, Intelligent Surgery Research is officially launched. With a sense of awe, we open the door to intelligent medicine; with a commitment to action, we build a bridge for academic exchange. We stand ready to witness the intelligent transformation of surgical practice and explore the promising future of medicine together with colleagues around the world.
The essence of surgery lies in safeguarding life through a balance between precision and humanism. From the popularization of traditional open surgery to the innovation of minimally invasive techniques, from the application of 3D imaging to the rise of robot-assisted surgery, every technological breakthrough stems from the unremitting pursuit of “greater precision, higher safety, and better efficiency.” Today, this revolution is advancing in an even more profound direction. AI can even independently identify anatomical variations and correct operational errors. AI has extended from single-link assistance to comprehensive support covering the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases. 5G technology has broken down spatial barriers, enabling high-quality medical resources to reach remote areas. These trends are collectively reshaping the entire process of surgical diagnosis and treatment, making “error-free surgery” an achievable goal.
As an academic journal focusing on the field of intelligent surgery,
Intelligent Surgery Research is born in the golden age of interdisciplinary integration and shoulders the important mission of documenting innovation, promoting translation, and guiding development. We recognize that the advancement of intelligent surgery relies on the synergy between basic research and clinical practice, the mutual empowerment of engineering technology and medical ethics, and more importantly, keeping pace with the evolving trends of technological autonomy, precise diagnosis and treatment, inclusive services, and standardized systems.[
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Against this backdrop, the journal adheres to the editorial philosophy of “academia as the foundation, innovation as the soul, and translation as the priority,” focusing on three core areas:
| Basic theories and technological innovation in intelligent surgery: Highlighting cutting-edge content such as AI algorithm optimization, surgical robot development, and breakthroughs in medical sensing technology. |
| Clinical application and evidence-based research in intelligent surgery: Covering practical achievements including specialty-specific intelligent surgical protocols, efficacy evaluation, and complication prevention. |
| Ethical norms and industry standards for intelligent surgery: Addressing key issues such as privacy protection, responsibility definition, and equitable access in technological application, and tracking ongoing developments in standard system construction led by government authorities and professional academic organizations. |
Our editorial board brings together renowned interdisciplinary scholars dedicated to intelligent surgery research, committed to building an inclusive and open global platform for academic exchange. Whether you are a researcher deeply engaged in basic science, a clinician tackling clinical challenges, or an engineer focused on technology translation, this journal will serve as a stage for you to showcase your achievements and exchange ideas—whether it is a breakthrough in the autonomy of surgical robots or clinical data on AI-assisted pathological diagnosis. We will uphold a rigorous peer-review system to ensure the academic quality and innovative value of published papers. Meanwhile, we will actively embrace diverse communication channels to promote the popularization and sharing of knowledge in intelligent surgery research, facilitating the construction of an integrated ecosystem where “clinical needs raise questions, scientific research solves problems, and industrial translation delivers outcomes.”
The journey ahead is long, but progress is attainable through perseverance. The future is promising with unremitting efforts. The development of intelligent surgery has no predefined way. It requires every practitioner to explore the unknown with courage, solve problems with wisdom, uphold humanism as the bottom line, and address ethical concerns while pursuing technological breakthroughs. Intelligent Surgery Research is willing to join hands with colleagues worldwide, root itself in academic practice, focus on clinical needs, advance the frontiers of technological innovation, and keep pace with industry trends. Together, we will enable intelligent technology to truly serve human health and write a new chapter in surgical medicine.
We look forward to your attention, support, and submissions.
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