The Application of a Surgery Supporting Computer System Does Not Seem to Influence the Surgeons' Radiation Exposure:...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Trauma Surgery
• Medical Technology

Background:

• A Level I trauma center implemented a surgery supporting system (SPM) in 2019 for common trauma procedures.
• The SPM system aimed to standardize surgical procedures and potentially reduce radiation exposure, particularly for less experienced surgeons.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of the surgery supporting system (SPM) on intraoperative radiation exposure during common trauma surgeries.
• To determine if SPM implementation influences radiation dose based on surgeon experience.

Main Methods:

• Workflows for various fractures (distal radius, proximal femur, ankle, proximal humerus, spine) were integrated into the SPM.
• A comparative study included 90 surgeries using SPM and 107 control surgeries between October 2019 and June 2022.
• Radiation exposure, surgeon experience, and SPM usage were measured and statistically analyzed (chi-square, Fischer exact tests).

Main Results:

• No significant difference in median radiation exposure was found between the SPM group and the control group for distal radius fractures (5.7 vs. 6.4 Gy/cm²).
• Distal fibula fractures also showed no significant difference in intraoperative radiation (17.4 vs. 6.4 Gy/cm²).
• Surgeon experience, whether consultant or less experienced, did not significantly influence radiation exposure, irrespective of SPM use.

Conclusions:

• The study found no significant reduction in intraoperative radiation dose when utilizing the surgery supporting system (SPM).
• Surgeon experience did not demonstrate a significant influence on radiation exposure outcomes with or without SPM usage.
• Further data collection is recommended to investigate these findings further.