A high-definition, low cost endoscope to video record head and neck surgery- our experience

Head and neck surgery is a challenging speciality to video-record due to its open, small and sometimes deep operative field. Consequently current commercial technologies yield a high financial cost. This study explores how a low-cost, commercially available endoscope, called a borescope, may be used to overcome these challenges. It was hypothesised that due to its size, versatility and low-cost, it may be an accessible tool to circumnavigate the pitfalls of previously trialled recording devices. We report two cases in which a borescope was used intra-operatively. We found that the borescope can capture images suitable for teaching and training purposes but not when mounted as a headcam. As such the borescope is unable to provide a surgeons point of view.