Radiation exposure to the hands from mini C-arm fluoroscopy

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Medical Imaging
• Radiation Safety

Background:

• Intraoperative fluoroscopy using mini C-arms is common in hand surgery.
• Radiation exposure to surgical staff, particularly hands, is a concern.
• Understanding exposure levels is crucial for implementing safety protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify hand radiation exposure for surgeons using intraoperative mini C-arm fluoroscopy.
• To compare measured exposure levels with predicted values and safety limits.
• To assess the risk of radiation exposure during finger, hand, and wrist surgeries.

Main Methods:

• Ring dosimeters were used to measure hand radiation exposure in five hand surgeons during 81 surgeries.
• Fluoroscopy time per case was recorded.
• A phantom study was conducted to measure radiation scatter at close range.

Main Results:

• Surgeons' hands received an average of 20 +/- 12.3 mrem of radiation per case.
• Individual exposure ranged from 5 to 80 mrem per case.
• Average fluoroscopy time was 51 +/- 36.9 seconds, with a range of 6 to 170 seconds, suggesting hands may enter the direct beam.

Conclusions:

• Hand surgeons face substantial radiation exposure due to proximity to the mini C-arm beam.
• The findings indicate a need for enhanced radiation safety precautions for hand surgeons.
• Minimizing direct beam exposure is recommended to reduce hand radiation levels.