Methods
STROBE criteria were used to structure this observational study.
Two systems were trialled in a live theatre scenario. Both authors used throat microphone systems (3.5mm plug Tactical Throat Mic System). One with a Bluetooth Speaker (Bose Soundlink 2) and one directly wired into a 1-watt body worn guitar amplifier (Marshall MS-2R Micro Amp); the latter required removing the 3.5mm plug from the throat mic system and replacing it with a 6.35mm guitar amp plug.
The surgical team (n=7) was asked to rate each surgeon on a visual analogue scale (VAS) for both volume and clarity for one case without sound amplification and one case with sound amplification. The mean results were recorded for each system. Both surgeons used a 3M full face respirator.