Using a Mobile Smartphone to Perform Laparoscopy.

Laparoscopy has gradually expanded its use in gynecologic surgery over the last 3 decades. In this report, a new laparoscopic setup is presented using a mobile smartphone that allows for a low-cost, portable laparoscopic viewing system. The setup was created with the coupling of a rigid 0-degree, 10-mm-diameter laparoscope via a commercially available adapter with a smartphone. The light source used was also a portable and rechargeable light-emitting diode cold light source. We completed 17 diagnostic laparoscopies for different pathologies such as ectopic pregnancy, ovarian torsion, a luteal hemorrhagic cyst, and disseminated ovarian cancer. Five operations were converted from diagnostic to operative laparoscopy. The diagnosis was right tubal pregnancy, salpingectomy was performed, and the new setup was used for the entire operation, allowing the surgeon to complete the surgery successfully. This is the first report of the application of mobile technology used to facilitate a laparoscopic operation. It is our intention that this experience coupled with future hardware improvements will lead to future studies to expand the use of mobile technology in the laparoscopic setting.