Smartphone-assisted intraventricular neuroendoscopy for aqueductal stenosis in a 6-month-old infant. Attached to the neuroendoscope, the smartphone provides visualization of the surgical field. Credit: American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
Smartphones have changed the ways in which we live. They connect us with friends and families by phone, texts, and pictures. They warn us about what weather to expect and what traffic patterns we’ll face on our way to work. They keep us abreast of all the news of the day and in touch with colleagues and clients.
Here’s another item we can add to the list: smartphones can assist neurosurgeons in performing intricate surgeries. In a paper published today in the Journal of Neurosurgery, “Smartphone-assisted minimally invasive neurosurgery,” Mauricio Mandel, MD, and colleagues from São Paulo, Brazil, describe a smartphone-endoscope device for use in minimally invasive neurosurgery. These authors found the device easy to use, efficient, cost effective, and a great learning tool for less experienced neurosurgeons.
For the complete story, click here.
