Video recording of hand surgeries using a field of view (FOV) matching USB camera module and smartphone in the era of COVID-19

Background: As the online medium has gained in popularity due to the recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, video recording of surgical procedures has become crucial in medical education. Various methods for recording are available but many require professional equipment and experienced personnel. Here, we propose a feasible and acceptable method for video recording of surgeries. Methods: An M12 mount USB camera, which is based on an Android micro-USB, was utilized. The device was purchased from a website for $32–$40. The camera was mounted between the eyes of the binocular loupes. Surgical procedures were recorded with the camera. The optimal settings were determined according to the types of surgeries. Results: We recorded the following surgical procedures: radial artery superficial palmar branch (RASP) free flap harvest, carpal tunnel release, and free flap operation. The default values were retained for all settings, but the highest image quality (1080 p) was selected with an 8 mm lens. The camera battery was sufficient to record each surgery in its entirety. Conclusions: The USB camera produced high-quality videos that perfectly matched the surgeon's field of view without the need for additional staff for recording. This low-cost equipment could be widely employed for the recording of educational videos for surgeons, especially in the era of COVID 19.