"Turn laterally to the left!". The need for uniform C-arm communication terminology during orthopaedic trauma surgery

To avoid disturbed teamwork, unnecessary radiation exposure, and procedural delays, we designed and tested a uniform communication language for use in fluoroscopy-assisted surgical procedures. Input of surgeons and radiographers was used to create a set of commands. The potential benefit of this terminology was explored in an experimental setting. There was a tremendous diversity in the currently used terminology. Use of the newly designed terminology showed a reduction of procedural time and amount of images needed. Our first standardized Dutch language terminology can reduce total fluoroscopy time, number of images acquired, and potentially radiation exposure. For Dutch speaking colleagues, the developed terminology is freely available for use in their OR.