Osmo Pocket© vs VITOM®: comparison of surgical educational video recording means in head and neck reconstructive surgery

Purpose: To highlight the needs for better intraoperative educational video recording in head and neck reconstructive surgery and to provide some information to standardize camera positioning in operative room. Methods: The Authors compared the Osmo Pocket© and the VITOM® 0° Telescope, evaluating the faculty and trainees point of view through specific questionnaires. The study was performed during two Masterclasses on Head and Neck Reconstructive Surgery that took place in the Hospital Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza in 2018 e 2019. Camera positioning in the Operative Room was also assessed. Results: In the faculty group, Osmo Pocket© was reported as frequently interfering with surgical intervention; the need for repositioning was reported more frequently in recording with VITOM®, that was evaluated as better in keeping a good “recording flow”. In trainees’ group, the perceived image quality with VITOM® was more appreciated, while Osmo Pocket© was considered superior in surgical field vision. Regarding the systems’ positioning in the OR, in all the surgical procedures it was observed the need for the first operator and the trainees to have the HD monitor placed in front of them. Only during forearm flap harvesting the HD monitor was placed laterally to the first operator and the trainees. Conclusions: The Osmo Pocket© is a cheap solution and allows a stable and continuous vision of the operative field, without the needing for stop and repositioning. The Vitom®, despite its major costs and the needing for periodic repositioning, allows a better view of anatomical details with less discomfort for the surgeon. Moreover it's important a standardization of the video means positioning in the operative room to reduce the pre-operative times and to aid in the choice of the most useful method for educational video recording.