Abstract
The integration of robotic technology into oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) is poised to transform surgical practice by 2030. This paper explores the evolving partnership between surgeons and robots within the maxillofacial operating room of the future. We examine the potential of robotic systems to enhance surgical precision, improve patient outcomes, and facilitate minimally invasive approaches across a spectrum of OMFS procedures, including complex reconstruction, implant placement, orthogenetic surgery, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery. Furthermore, we discuss the critical role of the surgeon in this evolving landscape, emphasizing the indispensable aspects of surgical judgment, decision-making, and adaptation that will remain central despite increasing automation. This analysis considers the anticipated advancements in robotic platforms, including enhanced dexterity, haptic feedback, and artificial intelligence integration, and their implications for surgical training, workflow optimization, and the overall patient experience. Ultimately, this paper envisions a future where surgeons and robots collaborate synergistically, leveraging the unique strengths of both to achieve unprecedented levels of surgical excellence in oral and maxillofacial care.
Keywords: oral and maxillofacial surgery, robotics, surgical technology, future of surgery, human-robot interaction, surgical innovation, minimally invasive surgery, surgical precision, patient outcomes