OBJECTIVE To analyze the scientific literature produced on health education through mobile applications for surgical patients. METHOD An integrative literature review performed through consultation in the following portals and/or databases: VHL; PubMed; Web of Science; Scopus; LILACS and CINAHL. The search was guided by the question: "What is the evidence on the use of mobile applications in the health education of surgical patients?" conducted from July to September 2017, including articles

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... lished from the year 2000 to 2017. RESULTS Five articles published in international journals in English with varied methodological designs were selected. Among the studies found, 60% used an educational intervention through smartphone applications in the pre and postoperative periods, and 40% of the studies had an evidence level of 2B. CONCLUSION The studies showed that the use of smartphone applications in educating and guiding surgical patients was effective. However, there is still a gap in studies which demonstrate surgical patient education through smartphone applications.