Radiation protection in orthopaedic surgery: An assessment of current practice: Association of Surgeons in Training 2018 Conference

TY - JOUR

T1 - Radiation protection in orthopaedic surgery: An assessment of current practice

T2 - Association of Surgeons in Training 2018 Conference

AU - Abukar, A.

AU - Busu, B.

AU - Abukar, M.

AU - Anugraha, A.

AU - Compson, J.

PY - 2018

Y1 - 2018

N2 - Aim: To assess behaviours and compliance with use of lead glasses and thyroid shield in trauma theatres by orthopaedic surgeons.Method: A 2-week prospective, blinded study to assess use of lead glasses and thyroid shields in the trauma orthopaedic theatres as per the trust’s Procedures for Ionising Radiation Safety guidelines. The inclusion criteria are orthopaedic trauma surgery and mobile fluoroscopy C-arm use.Results: Over the 2-weeks a total of 30 procedures requiring use of the mobile fluoroscopy C-arm were observed. Of the 30 procedures 20 were lower limb and 10 were upper limb. The average number of surgeons per procedure was 3. On average only a third of surgeons’ wore the thyroid shield whilst none wore the lead glasses. Also, in 6 procedures the operating surgeon’s hand, whilst holding the patients’ limb, featured in the fluoroscopic image.Conclusions: This study highlights the lack of awareness of risk of radiation amongst the orthopaedic surgeons. The main source of radiation during fluoroscopy is via scattered radiation. The eyes and thyroid are more radiosensitive than hands. Currently, the long term effects of low-dose radiation remain unknown.

AB - Aim: To assess behaviours and compliance with use of lead glasses and thyroid shield in trauma theatres by orthopaedic surgeons.Method: A 2-week prospective, blinded study to assess use of lead glasses and thyroid shields in the trauma orthopaedic theatres as per the trust’s Procedures for Ionising Radiation Safety guidelines. The inclusion criteria are orthopaedic trauma surgery and mobile fluoroscopy C-arm use.Results: Over the 2-weeks a total of 30 procedures requiring use of the mobile fluoroscopy C-arm were observed. Of the 30 procedures 20 were lower limb and 10 were upper limb. The average number of surgeons per procedure was 3. On average only a third of surgeons’ wore the thyroid shield whilst none wore the lead glasses. Also, in 6 procedures the operating surgeon’s hand, whilst holding the patients’ limb, featured in the fluoroscopic image.Conclusions: This study highlights the lack of awareness of risk of radiation amongst the orthopaedic surgeons. The main source of radiation during fluoroscopy is via scattered radiation. The eyes and thyroid are more radiosensitive than hands. Currently, the long term effects of low-dose radiation remain unknown.

U2 - 10.1016/j.ijsu.2018.05.413

DO - 10.1016/j.ijsu.2018.05.413

M3 - Meeting abstract

SN - 1743-9191

VL - 55

SP - S87

JO - International Journal Of Surgery

JF - International Journal Of Surgery

ER -