| Summary: | The number of orthopaedic surgical procedures using image intensification fluoroscopic
assistance had increased markedly over the past few years. There are growing concerns over
possible associated radiation health hazards. In this study, scattered radiation to the eye, hand and
neck of the primary surgeon were measured during interlocking nail of femur and dynamic hip
screw fixation assisted by the fluoroscopic machine. Thennoluminescent dosimeter was used to
quantify the radiation dose received by the surgeon.
Mean radiation exposure time or duration that fluoroscopy was used during the procedure
for interlocking nail of femur and dynamic hip screw fJXation were 3.89 minutes and 3.03
minutes respectively. Study showed that the primary surgeon received certain amount of scattered
radiation dose during the procedures. The hand received the highest scattered dose followed by
the eye and neck. The scattered dose was small. By extrapolating these results, it is unlikely for
an individual surgeon to receive more than the recommended annual dose limit as set by the
international organization.
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