Papers
8
Total Citations
203
H-Index
6
About
Dr. Masaaki Ito is a pioneering surgeon-researcher at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence with minimally invasive surgery, particularly in colorectal and urologic oncology. His work centers on three transformative pillars: advancing robotic and laparoscopic surgical techniques, developing AI-driven computer vision for real-time surgical guidance, and creating objective, automated systems for surgical skill assessment. Dr. Ito’s landmark 2021 review on AI-based computer vision in surgery, with over 120 citations, has become a foundational reference for the field, outlining how deep learning can enhance instrument recognition and procedural safety. He led the PRODUCT trial (2022), a pivotal Japanese multicenter study validating laparoscopic surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer using the critical circumferential resection margin (CRM) index. His innovative deep learning models for recognizing seminal vesicles during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (2022) and for automatically identifying surgical phases (2025) represent major leaps toward autonomous surgical assistance. With over 200 total citations and multiple prospective trials, Dr. Ito’s work is shaping the next generation of data-driven, intelligent surgical systems, directly improving patient outcomes and surgical education.
Research Focus
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