Medical Students’ Interest and Positive Attitude Toward the Smartphone Microscopy Model in Microsurgical Training

Microsurgical techniques require a high level of surgical skill and many years of practice. However, traditional training is limited by time constraints and high costs, particularly due to the need for specialized microsurgical laboratories. Advances in 3D printing and smartphone technology open up the possibility for cost-efficient and time-efficient training models. The aim of this study was to evaluate a 3D-printed, smartphone-based microsurgical training setup as a training tool for microsurgery. A smartphone was mounted in a custom-designed, 3D-printed universal mount to serve as a substitute for a surgical microscope. The performance of an anastomosis on a chicken thigh was compared using a smartphone and a surgical microscope. A total of 66 participants performed the microsurgical task using both systems. Following the tasks, participants completed a standardized questionnaire assessing subjective surgical performance and user experience with both modalities. The operating microscope was considered better in terms of handling, coordination, and image quality. Participants considered the smartphone setup to be a suitable alternative. Many reported that the initial handling was easier with the smartphone, and the microsurgical tasks could be performed effectively. The 3D-printed smartphone holder, along with the smartphone, enabled the development of a flexible and cost-effective training tool. Although it does not yet fully replace the capabilities of a traditional surgical microscope, the system offers a viable solution for microsurgical training that is independent of time and location. In remote or resource-constrained training settings, this could be especially helpful.