Intraoperative radiation use by trainees during ankle fracture fixation

Orthopedic trainees are assessed during training regarding their use of radiological screening during operative procedures. The authors investigated whether orthopedic trainees' use of fluoroscopic screening during ankle fixation operations varied with the 2 variables of consultant supervision and trainee experience. Data from operative fixation of isolated Weber B ankle fractures were reviewed. The intraoperative radiation dose was retrieved from radiographers' data. Operations performed by consultants were used as a control group (n=25 patients). Trainee supervision was assessed as "trainer in operating room (OR)" and "trainer out of OR." Regarding experience, the patients were divided into those operated on primarily by trainees in their first (n=36 patients) and in their last (n=34 patients) 3 years of formal specialist training. All trainee groups used more radiation than consultants. Supervision did not affect the radiation use of senior trainees (P<.05). Senior trainees used less radiation than their junior peers (P<.02). Junior trainees supervised by a trainer in the OR used less radiation than junior trainees supervised by a trainer outside of the OR (P<.05). During open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures, junior orthopedic trainees use less intraoperative radiation when they are supervised by a trainer in the OR. The more experience a surgeon has, the less fluoroscopic screening is used during operative ankle fixation.