A study published in the Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research examined the occupational radiation exposure from C-Arm fluoroscopy for orthopedic surgery.
Minimally invasive orthopedic surgeries can include image intensifiers to decrease the invasiveness, operative time and procedure morbidity. This study examined 12 right-handed male orthopedic surgeons for three months to measure radiation exposure. The surgeons took adequate protection measures for C-arm fluoroscopy.
The surgeons wore five Thermo Luminescent Dosimeter badges on their neck, chest, gonads and both wrists. The researchers found:
• Average radiation exposure was well within permissible limits
• Significant positive correlation between exposure time and exposure does for the wrists
• The dominant hand had the maximum exposure overall
"Any amount of radiation taken is bound to pose an additional occupational hazard," concluded the study authors. "It is thus desirable that radiation safety and precautions should be taken and exposure regularly monitored with at least one dosimeter for monitoring the whole-body dose."