Fluoroscopic Exposure With Use of Mini-C-Arm During Routine Hand Surgery: A Prospective Comparison of Hand Versus Eye...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Intraoperative fluoroscopy, particularly mini-C-arm use, presents potential radiation exposure risks for orthopedic surgeons.
• Understanding radiation dosimetry for hand and eye is crucial for occupational safety in orthopedic procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively compare hand versus eye radiation exposure during mini-C-arm fluoroscopy.
• To evaluate if routine mini-C-arm use results in radiation dosages exceeding established safety limits.

Main Methods:

• Prospective measurement of hand and eye radiation exposure over 12 months in a single hand surgeon.
• Data collected from 25 surgical cases utilizing a mini-C-arm fluoroscopy device.

Main Results:

• Average monthly hand radiation dosage (45.81±14.49 mrem) was significantly higher than eye radiation dosage (<30 mrem).
• Both hand and eye radiation dosages remained below critical exposure limits set by the International Commission on Radiological Protection.

Conclusions:

• Routine mini-C-arm utilization in orthopedic surgery does not appear to approach critical radiation exposure levels for the hand or eyes.
• Findings suggest current practices are within safe radiation limits for surgeons performing procedures with mini-C-arms.