Improvising in adversity: Adapting a bicycle LED light as a light source for microscopic surgery in a surgical camp.

Abstract

Surgical care in rural, resource-limited settings often faces challenges such as poor infrastructure and power instability. During a surgical camp in Purkot Daha, Nepal, a microscope bulb failed during myringoplasty due to voltage fluctuations. A bicycle LED light was improvised via a fibre-optic cable to complete the procedure. This case illustrates both the creativity of surgical teams and the risks of such adaptations, highlighting the need for better preparation, backup systems, and long-term investment in sustainable, low-cost innovations.