Digital video recording of congenital heart operations with "surgical eye"

We describe our experience with routine digital video recording of congenital heart operations. We currently use the "surgical eye," in which a small camera is mounted between the standard surgical loupe lenses. This technique has evolved during the years of experience with various other techniques. We believe this is a good method for accurate definition of intracardiac anatomy that closely resembles the surgeon's view. This arrangement is economical and invaluable in training. This method of recording has been used in more than 1,000 operations.