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J Hand Surg [Am]. 2005 Jul;30(4):795-7.
Radiation exposure to the hands from mini C-arm fluoroscopy.
‘Singer G.
Department of Orthopedics, Kaiser Permanente, Denver, CO 80205, USA. gordobrig@aol.com’
PURPOSE: To quantify the level of radiation exposure to the hands of hand surgeons using intraoperative mini C-arm fluoroscopy and to compare the actual level of exposure with predicted levels and acceptable limits. METHODS: Five hand surgeons were given ring dosimeters to measure radiation exposure to their hands during surgery of the finger, hand, and wrist. A total of 81 rings were analyzed. After the clinical study a phantom was used to measure scatter at close range from the mini C-arm. RESULTS: Surgeons’ hands were exposed to an average +/- SD of 20 +/- 12.3 mrem/case. For comparison a chest x-ray results in approximately 20 mrem exposure to the patient. Radiation exposure for the group of hand surgeons ranged from 5 to 80 mrem. Surgeons used an average of 51 +/- 36.9 seconds of fluoroscopy time per case. Exposure time for the group ranged from 6 to 170 seconds. The radiation scatter rate decreases precipitously outside the beam or beyond the radius of the intensifier. An average exposure to the hands of 20 mrem/case suggests that surgeons’ hands must be entering the beam and getting direct exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Hand surgeons work close to the beam and as a result their hands potentially are exposed to a nontrivial amount of radiation. We recommend that surgeons who use the mini C-arm use precautions to minimize radiation exposure, particularly to their hands.
MeSH Terms: Comparative Study – Fluoroscopy/adverse effects* – Hand/radiation effects* – Humans – Intraoperative Period – Occupational Exposure* – Orthopedics* – Phantoms, Imaging – Radiation Dosage – Radiation Injuries/etiology – Radiation Injuries/preve