Abstract
Background: There is increasing concern regarding radiation exposure to surgeons’ using fluoroscopic guidance during orthopaedic procedures. However, there is currently a paucity of information regarding the level of radiation exposure to the foot and ankle surgeon during fluoroscopically assisted foot and ankle surgery.
Methods: We conducted a 12 month prospective study to measure radiation dose absorbed by the hands of a dedicated right handed foot and ankle surgeon. A thermo-luminescent dosimeter ring (TLD) was worn on little finger of each hand. Measurement of the cumulative radiation dose was recorded on a monthly basis.
Results: A total of 80 foot and ankle cases involving fluoroscopy were performed. The total screening time was 3028seconds (s) (mean screening time 37.4s). Screening time correlated positively with the number of procedures performed (r=0.92, p< 0.001), and with radiation dose in both the left TLD (r=0.85, p=0.0005) and right TLD (r=0.59, p=0.0419). There was no significant difference in radiation dose between either hand (p=0.62). The total radiation dose to the right TLD over the 12 months was 2.4 milli-sieverts.
Conclusion: Radiation dose incurred during orthopaedic foot and ankle procedures is proportional to the screening time. Our results show radiation exposure to be well below the annual dose limit set by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. This work demonstrates a simple and convenient method for evaluating a single surgeon’s radiation exposure.
Correspondence should be addressed to Ms Larissa Welti, Scientific Secretary, EFORT Central Office, Technoparkstrasse 1, CH-8005 Zürich, Switzerland
