Abstract: To assess the intra-operative screening dose, screening duration, number of improper images taken and the effect of experience of the orthopaedic surgeon and the C-arm technician on the screening dose and duration of the C-arm machine in orthopaedic surgeries.
Methodology: The study was conducted for a period of 2 calender months (Between September 2015 - November 2015 ). All the orthopaedic cases satisfying inclusion criteria have been taken into account. The intraoperative Fluroscopy screening dose, screening duration, number of improper images taken for each orthopaedic procedure was tabulated and compared based on the experience of the surgeon and the imaging technician.
Results: The total number of images taken , total exposure time and the total exposure dose for a given surgery was found to be significantly higher when the surgery was carried out by a senior resident (P-Value .002) and when the Fluroscopy machine was operated by a student or an intern (Medical imaging technology ) . Open reduction and internal fixation of fractures required less exposure to fluroscopy when compared to closed reduction and fixation. The experience of the surgeon didn’t significantly affect the total duration of the surgery.
Conclusion: The experience of the surgeon and the imaging technician significantly affects the intraoperative fluoroscopic radiation exposure. The exposure time and the dosage was far less when the surgery was carried out by an experienced surgeon and when the fluoroscopic unit was handled by an experienced faculty from the medical imaging department.
Keywords: C-arm operating technician, fluoroscopic unit.
Title: Study on the Intraoperative C-Arm Radiation Exposure in Orthopaedic Surgeries
Author: Dr. Joel Prasad G.L, Dr. K Raghuveer Adiga
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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