Modified GoPro Hero 6 and 7 for Intraoperative Surgical Recording-Transformation Into a Surgeon-Perspective Professional Quality Recording System.

Recent innovations in wearable action cameras with high-definition video recording enable surgeons to use cameras for their surgical procedures. In this study, the GoPro HERO 6 (and 7) Black edition camera was modified step by step to allow for a completely wireless surgeon-perspective recording with a battery life and memory capacity never previously obtained with such a high level of digital video quality. With this system, a surgeon can record for more than 14 hours 26 minutes in 1,080 pixels at 60 frames per second without breaking scrub and capture the operating surgeon's direct view of the field. By modifying the newest generation of devices, the authors successfully eliminated all shortcomings of the prior generation of GoPro cameras for surgical recording. The modified GoPro HERO6 camera produced professional recording quality for a total cost lower than US$850. This is critically important, because video-based surgical training will continue to be a primary area of development in the future and represents a novel and effective way for young generations of surgeons to attain technical excellence and knowledge in surgery.