Machine learning in risk assessment for microvascular head and neck surgery.

Purpose: The integration of machine learning (ML) into microvascular surgery for the head and neck offers significant potential to enhance risk stratification, outcome prediction, and decision support. Traditional risk assessment methods are often limited in addressing the dynamic complexity of surgical outcomes. ML can analyze preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data to optimize patient management, minimize complications, and improve both functional and aesthetic results.