Digital Video Recording in Traumatic Brain Injury Surgery Using a Wearable Action Camera

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Video recording is essential to training and education in the medical field. The recorded videos are used to education. There is less chance of experience in emergent or urgent traumatic brain injury (TBI) surgeries for residents. We used wearable action camcorders for surgical image recording in TBI, then evaluated its safety and feasibility for education. METHODS: A wearable action camera was used to record surgical procedures. High-definition (1920×1080 p resolution, 60 frames per sec) quality was set and the camera was attached to the surgeon’s head and recorded the view of the surgical field as seen by the surgeon. Burr hole trephination, craniotomy for hematoma removal, and decompressive craniectomy surgeries were recorded. The recorded video clips were stored securely and reviewed. To evaluate the usefulness of the images, we conducted reviews and surveys of the residents. RESULTS: From January 2015 to December 2016, 81 cases of TBI surgery were recorded. Most video clips had a favorable view and image quality. Image distortion by overexposure occurred in 5 cases. Shut down due to misuse of device occurred in 2 cases and the recordings were out of focus in 5 cases. Results of the survey showed that TBI surgical video clips were helpful for understanding the sequence of surgery and sharing the field of view of the main operator. CONCLUSION: Wearable action camera can be used to record surgical video clips, including TBI surgery, and its videos may be helpful for the training and education of neurosurgery residents.