Radiation exposure and associated risks to operating-room personnel during use of fluoroscopic guidance for selected orthopaedic surgical procedures

Abstract

Because of the increased use of fluoroscopic guidance techniques in certain orthopaedic surgical procedures, surgeons and other operating-room personnel who are involved in these procedures are voicing growing concern over possible associated radiation health hazards. Using thin-layer lithium fluoride chips for thermoluminescence dosimetry, we directly measured the radiation exposure encountered by the primary surgeon during seven operative procedures that were done utilizing fluoroscopic guidance techniques. Dosimetry studies were also carried out using a tissue-equivalent phantom model to determine the directions of maximum scatter radiation. These studies indicated that the standard protective apron that is commonly worn during the use of fluoroscopy provides adequate protection to most of the body; however, the surgeon is exposed to significant levels of scatter radiation to the head, neck, and hands, Dosimetry studies showed that positioning the fluoroscopic beam vertically to the fracture site of the supine patient, with the x-ray source posterior to the patient, provided the lowest levels of scatter radiation to the surgeon in the normal working position.