A comparison of using a smartphone versus a surgical microscope for microsurgical anastomosis in a non-living model

Abstract

Background Although they may not replace standard training methods that use surgical microscopes, smartphones equipped with high-resolution screens and high-definition cameras are an attractive alternative for practicing microsurgical skills. They are ubiquitous, simple to operate, and inexpensive. This study compared anastomoses of chicken femoral vessels using a smartphone camera versus a standard operative microscope.Methods Forty anastomoses of non-living chicken femoral vessels were divided into four groups. A resident and an experienced microsurgeon performed anastomoses of femoral chicken vessels with 8-0 and 10-0 sutures, using a smartphone camera and a surgical microscope. The time to complete the anastomosis and the number of anastomosis errors were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test.Results The time taken to perform an anastomosis by the experienced microsurgeon was significantly longer when using the smartphone (median: 32.5 minutes vs. 20 minutes, P<0.001). The resident completed the anastomoses with both types of equipment without a significant difference in the operative times. When using a smartphone, the operation times were not significantly different between the resident and the experienced microsurgeon (P=0.238). The resident showed non-significant differences in operation time and the number of errors when using a smartphone or an operative microscope (P=1.000 and P=0.065, respectively).Conclusions Microsurgical practice with non-living chicken femoral vessels can be performed with a smartphone, though it can take longer than with an operative microscope for experienced microsurgeons. The resident may also experience frustration and tend to make more anastomosis errors when using a smartphone versus an operative microscope.

Feasibility of images acquired using smartphone camera for marginal and internal fit of fixed dental prosthesis: comparison and correlation study

“…Some researchers also obtained high-magnification images by attaching a lens to a smartphone or using additional equipment 25 , 27 , 28 . In addition, previous studies compared the usability of surgical microscopes and smartphones in clinical practice without attachments to smartphones 24 , 26 . At present, smartphones are widely used by clinical experts and researchers 29 .…”

“…In previous studies, to compare the accuracy of an optical microscope and a smartphone camera, researchers either used a cradle to fix the smartphone or manufactured and used a special device 20 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 28 , 30 – 32 . These methods were used to obtain consistent smartphone camera images.…”