Mobile Hysteroscopy With the Use of a Smartphone as a Cost-Effective, Diagnostic Technique

Abstract

Background: Smartphone technology can be adapted to promote cable-free, wireless, and cost-effective diagnostic mobile office hysteroscopy.

Instrument: We developed a new cable-free setup by coupling a rigid 30°, 2-mm-diameter hysteroscope to a smartphone using a commercially available adapter and using a portable and rechargeable light-emitting diode cold light source. The new setup cost is considerably lower compared with that of a typical endoscopic tower.

Experience: We performed both standard hysteroscopy and hysteroscopy using the new portable setup in 40 patients for a variety of benign gynecologic indications. The operating time was compared between the two methods, as was the pain perceived by the patients. Videos from the two setups were blindly reviewed and scored by experts regarding image resolution, brightness, color, and overall image quality. The new technique was acceptable for diagnosis in 97.5% of the videos.

Conclusion: We report a promising initial experience using a smartphone to provide a convenient, cable-free, low-cost, office hysteroscopy system.