Molecular surgery: No incisions, no pain, same surgical results

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• April 5, 2022

Insight summary

Molecular surgery, using electrical currents and tiny needles instead of traditional incisions, is transforming medical procedures by offering a less painful and more appealing alternative to traditional surgery. This new approach not only minimizes physical complications in cosmetic surgery but also opens doors for treating conditions like cerebral palsy and reshaping medical education and business models. The long-term implications include shifts in legal landscapes, economic growth in medical tourism, and more sustainable medical practices.

Molecular surgery context

Traditional plastic and facial surgery often involve incisions, scars, and prolonged recovery times. Since 2019, the plastic surgery field has developed a novel sub-field called molecular surgery that only requires electricity, 3D printed molds, and tiny needles to reconstruct tissues without the need for incisions and other invasive surgical techniques. 

For tissue to be reshaped by a surgical procedure, it should be flexible enough to take on any new or desired shape. Researchers at Occidental College in Los Angeles and the University of California in Irvine (UCI) developed a technique that employs infrared lasers to heat cartilage to make it flexible. However, this technique was expensive and drove medical scientists to further investigate ways to make plastic surgery affordable while preserving the life of tissue during surgery. 

The research teams at Occidental College and UCI then found a solution through molecular surgery where electrical currents are passed through targeted cartilage to raise its temperature, thereby making it more flexible. This procedure induces a chemical reaction in the tissue by electrolyzing the water in the tissue. The water is then converted into oxygen and protons (hydrogen ions), resulting in the protein’s negative charges being neutralized through the positive charges provided by the protons, and ultimately reducing the density of the charge. As a result, target cartilage or tissue is made more flexible. 

Disruptive impact

By conducting surgery without cutting through skin tissue or cartilage, patients can avoid scarring, tissue damage, or pain, offering a more appealing alternative to traditional plastic surgery. This approach minimizes physical complications and reduces the likelihood of accidents that disfigure patients. The cosmetic surgery industry, in particular, stands to gain from this trend, as it offers a safer and less invasive option for patients seeking aesthetic improvements.

Beyond cosmetic enhancements, molecular surgery may also provide solutions for conditions that lack adequate treatment today, such as cerebral palsy. The ability to correct these conditions without invasive procedures opens new doors for patient care, enhancing both physical and mental well-being. Furthermore, ongoing research into applying molecular surgery principles in other healthcare disciplines, like correcting short-sightedness, indicates a promising future. 

For individuals, companies, and governments, the implications of molecular surgery are far-reaching. Patients can look forward to more accessible and less painful treatment options, while healthcare providers may find new avenues for offering specialized care. Governments and regulatory bodies may need to adapt to this emerging trend by developing new guidelines and standards to ensure patient safety and ethical practices. 

Implications of molecular surgery 

Wider implications of molecular surgery may include:

• Invasive surgeries no longer being a prerequisite to treat certain conditions such as cancer, leading to a decrease in post-surgical complications and a shift in medical protocols for treatment.


• Medical malpractice cases becoming less pronounced and occurring less often within the healthcare industry due to the reduced need for invasive surgeries, resulting in a decrease in legal disputes and liability insurance costs for medical professionals.


• The viability of ever more profound cosmetic changes to the natural shape of the human form, as well as making it possible to assume the outward appearance of other people without prosthetic makeup, leading to new ethical considerations and potential regulations around identity and appearance.


• A shift in medical education and training, focusing on the mastery of molecular surgery techniques, leading to a reevaluation of curricula and the need for specialized training centers.


• The development of new business models within the healthcare industry, focusing on outpatient molecular surgery services, leading to increased accessibility and affordability of specialized medical procedures.


• Governments redefining regulatory frameworks to ensure the safe practice of molecular surgery, leading to new standards, certifications, and oversight mechanisms that protect patient rights and well-being.


• A potential increase in medical tourism as molecular surgery becomes a preferred method for various treatments, leading to economic growth in regions offering these advanced medical services.


• Environmental benefits through reduced waste of surgical materials and lower energy consumption in operating rooms.

Questions to consider

• Beyond plastic surgery, where else within the medical field do you believe molecular surgery could be applied? 


• How do you think molecular surgery will affect the rates charged by cosmetic surgeries?