A leading domestic think tank says robots will perform surgical operations in 20 years.

An LG Economic Research Institute report on Thursday said the concept of health and medical services will completely change over the next two decades due to the convergence of bio, nano and information technologies.

The report predicted microrobots will flow inside blood vessels, cure damaged cells, cleanse harmful viruses and restore damaged bones and livers, and that larger robots could even care for chronically ill patients.

"Bio-clothing" will have a sensor to check pulse, respiration and body temperature and transmit the data to a medical center.

Advances in bioengineering will also allow detection and treatment of potential genetic defects in a newborn.