Radiation Exposure during Fluoroscopic Guided Direct Anterior Approach for Total Hip Arthroplasty

Fluoroscopic guidance is commonly utilized during direct anterior total hip arthroplasty (DA THA). The purpose of this study was to measure patient and surgeon exposure utilizing this technique. Fifty-one consecutive patients who underwent primary DA THA by a single surgeon were prospectively studied. Fluoroscopic guidance was utilized according to an established protocol. Dose-area product (DAP) (Gy-cm(2)) and fluoroscopy time were recorded for each case. Surgeon exposure was recorded by a dosimeter. The median DAP was 0.716 Gy-cm(2) (range 0.251-1.81). Mean fluoroscopy time was 0.59 minutes. Dosimeter results were 10 mrem for all procedures combined. DAP and fluoroscopy times were comparable to published values for other fluoroscopically guided hip procedures. This information may aid in setting reference dose levels for this procedure.