Purpose: Natural language processing tools are becoming increasingly adopted in multiple industries worldwide, particularly with the advent of popular open-access large language models such as ChatGPT and Google Bard. These tools have shown promising results however their use in the field of surgery is non-existent or poorly characterised. This review evaluates the current research and insights into the potential for implementation of natural language processing tools in the journey of surgery. Methodology: A narrative review was conducted following a computer-assisted literature search on Medline, EMBASE and Google Scholar databases. Papers related to natural language processing tools and consideration into their use for surgery were considered. Results: Current applications of natural language processing tools within healthcare and particularly within the field of surgery is limited. With the increasing adoption of these tools in modern society and the progressive evolution of these models to perform more intuitive and ‘human-level’ tasks, there has been increasing trials of these technologies in the journey of surgery including through the peri-operative period as well as in academic applications such as surgical research and education. These applications have the potential benefit of improving workflow and efficiency for surgeons. Conclusion: Natural language processing tools and their applications within the field of surgery is very much in its infancy. Despite this, these technologies offer tremendous potential in augmenting the surgical experience for surgeons and patients. This review explores the current landscape of natural language processing tools and their applications in surgery.