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

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · J. Bone Jt. Surg., Am. Vol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6251502

Miller, M E; Davis, M L; MacClean, C R; Davis, J G; Smith, B L; Humphries, J R

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.

• Research Organization: Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospitals, University of Alabama in Birmingham
• OSTI ID: 6251502
• Journal Information: J. Bone Jt. Surg., Am. Vol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Bone Jt. Surg., Am. Vol.; (United States) Vol. 64:1; ISSN JBJSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
BODY
BUILDINGS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DOSES
DOSIMETRY
FLUOROSCOPY
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HOSPITALS
MEDICAL CENTERS
MEDICAL PERSONNEL
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
ORGANS
PERSONNEL
PERSONNEL DOSIMETRY
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIATION PROTECTION
RADIOLOGY
SAFETY
SKELETON
SURGERY