title: A safe and efficient method for intra-operative digital photography using a waterproof case.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intra-operative photography provides valuable information for photo-documentation. In order to improve quality of photographs and avoid additional contamination, we applied a sterilised waterproof case to adapt a digital camera that allowed the operating surgeon himself to obtain his own ideal images. A prospective study was designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of this technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 46 patients were enrolled in this study. The Fujifilm FinePix F30 digital camera encased in Fuji WP-FXF30 waterproof case was used in this study. Microbiological swabs were taken from the case's surface immediately after sealing the digital camera and at the end of surgery. In addition, intra-operative wound swabs were taken for correlation. The patients were followed up to record the possibility of any additional wound infections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the swab results on the waterproof case were positive before use. Overall, 11 patients had positive results of bacteria growth from intra-operative wound cultures. Eight of them also revealed positive microorganisms cultured from the case surface after use, in which the bacteria strains were correlated with the intra-operative wound cultures. However, no additional bacteria growth was noted from the culture of case surface.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A digital camera encased in a sterilised waterproof case met the strict requirements for sterility in our series and demonstrated no added increase in infection rate. Safe use of this technique for obtaining intra-operative photographs with high image quality can be achieved.
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma Plastic Surgery, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Craniofacial Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospitals, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, 5, Fu-Shing Street, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Johnlong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Han-Tsung
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Wen-Ke
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wee Leon
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Liang-Mou
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Ruei-Feng
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chien-Tzung
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008297:Male; D010781:Photography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013523:Surgical Equipment / Q000382:microbiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000382:microbiology*