High-definition point-of-view intraoperative recording using a smartphone: A hands-free approach

Intraoperative recording devices are being increasingly used to provide video for contemporary surgical training. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of a smartphone as a low-cost alternative to obtain high-resolution video from the surgeon's perspective.

A study evaluating the feasibility of using a head-mounted smartphone with a telephoto lens for point-of-view surgical videography.

Video recordings of a rhinoplasty procedure were taken using a head-mounted smartphone and two handheld cameras, a Canon Powershot SD1400 IS and a Sony HandyCam HDR-CX160. Video clips were shown to 16 blinded otolaryngology residents (n = 10) and attending physicians (n = 6) for individual video evaluation using a Likert scale (1 being poor quality, 5 being excellent quality). In addition, the study participants were asked to select which video clip they preferred when presented to them side by side.

The iPhone 7 was given the highest overall mean video quality rating of 3.9 ± 0.57 and was preferred over the two handheld cameras by nearly all surveyed surgeons. The Canon Powershot SD1400 IS was given a mean rating of 3.3 ± 1.0 and preferred over the SonyHandyCam HDR-CX160 by all surgeons. The Sony HandyCam HDR-CX160 was given a mean rating of 1.5 ± 0.13.

A head-mounted smartphone equipped with a telephoto lens provides a novel method to intraoperative surgical recording. The design is simple, low cost, and allows the surgeon to capture fine anatomical detail from the desirable point-of-view perspective.

NA Laryngoscope, 129:578-581, 2019.