A microscope in your pocket: can smartphones be used to perform microsurgery?

Purpose: To evaluate the use of the latest generation smartphone camera in performing arterial microanastomosis in rats.

Methods: Ten Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups and underwent anastomosis of the right carotid artery with the aid of magnification from a microscope (group M) and a smartphone camera (group S), to compare patency in 72 hours, as well as to measure the weight of the animals, diameter of the carotid arteries and anastomosis time.

Results: There was no statistical difference between the weight of the animals or the diameter of the carotid arteries.