In plain language
In 90 tibial nailing operations by experienced orthopaedic surgeons, the suprapatellar approach used less fluoroscopy time and lower dose area product than the infrapatellar approach. This may lower exposure for the surgical team, but their dose was not measured.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Original research, Retrospective cohort study
- Who was studied
- Orthopedic surgeons, Patients
- Size
- n = 90 operations
- Summary based on
- the abstract
What it found
Suprapatellar nailing had shorter mean fluoroscopy time than infrapatellar nailing.
Key figures: 129.7 ± 56.6 s vs 94.4 ± 47.9 s; p = 0.002
Suprapatellar nailing had lower mean dose area product than infrapatellar nailing.
Key figures: 53.6 ± 34.2 cGY cm2 vs 38.2 ± 26.7 cGY cm2; p = 0.02
Of 200 consecutive operations, 90 acute diaphyseal nailings were analysed (37 infrapatellar, 53 suprapatellar), performed by seven experienced senior consultants.
Key figures: n = 90 (37 vs 53)
Limits to keep in mind
Single-centre retrospective comparison of 90 non-randomised cases with possible selection bias; only time and dose-area product (DAP) were recorded, so surgeon and staff dose were inferred rather than measured.
Related research summaries
- Radiation exposure during direct versus indirect image acquisition during fluoroscopy-controlled internal fixation of a hip fracture: Results of a randomized controlled trial (2019, Randomized trial)
- Comparative Prospective Study Reporting Intraoperative Parameters, Pedicle Screw Perforation, and Radiation Exposure in Navigation-Guided versus Non-navigated Fluoroscopy-Assisted Minimal Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (2018, Prospective cohort study)
- Defining reference levels for intra-operative radiation exposure in orthopaedic trauma: A retrospective multicentre study (2015, Retrospective cohort study)
- ICRP Publication 117. Radiological Protection In Fluoroscopically Guided Procedures Performed Outside The Imaging Department (2010, Guideline or consensus statement)
- AST Standards for Ionizing Radiation Exposure (Guideline or consensus statement)
How this summary was made
ORSIF prepared this summary with AI assistance from the abstract of the paper. A program then checked that the passage supporting each finding appears word for word in that source. A person has not yet reviewed each summary, so read the original before relying on a number. ORSIF summarizes research and does not endorse any product or company. Report a problem with this summary.
Prepared November 3, 2026.