In plain language
In 18 Japanese orthopaedic surgeons using fluoroscopy, most had blood chromosome damage above background levels, highest in those reporting hand skin changes or skin cancer. This is an association in a small group without dosimetry records, and smoking also contributed.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Original research, Laboratory or biomarker study
- Who was studied
- Orthopedic surgeons
- Size
- n = 18 orthopaedic surgeons
- Where
- Japan
- Summary based on
- the full text
What it found
Most surgeons had dicentric frequencies above the general population background level, and translocations exceeded age-expected spontaneous levels in 16 of 17 surgeons tested.
Key figures: mean dicentric frequency 0.003 ± 0.002 per cell (background 0.001); translocations 0.019 ± 0.009 per CE
Surgeons reporting adverse skin or nail effects had significantly higher dicentric and age-corrected translocation frequencies than those without; those with squamous cell carcinoma had the highest dicentric frequency.
Key figures: P < 0.05; 15 of 18 surgeons reported adverse effects
Among surgeons above the decision threshold, estimated whole-body doses were 75 ± 24 mGy by dicentrics and about 321 mGy by translocations, despite all reporting adherence to dose limits.
Key figures: 75 ± 24 mGy (dicentrics, n=4); 321 ± 104 mGy (translocations)
Neither biomarker correlated with age or years of work experience; translocations correlated strongly with smoking.
Key figures: translocations vs Brinkman index r = 0.73, P < 0.001
Hand skin findings were common: 10% had squamous cell carcinoma and 55% melanonychia, far above population rates.
Key figures: 10% squamous cell carcinoma (SCC); 55% melanonychia
Limits to keep in mind
Small sample of 18 male surgeons with no physical dosimetry records, self-reported adverse effects and dose-limit adherence, and no personal protective equipment (PPE)-use data; partial-body hand exposure and smoking confound biodosimetry, so radiation cannot be conclusively identified as the cause.
Related research summaries
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- Occupational Radiation Exposure and Thyroid Nodules in Healthcare Workers: A Review (2025, Narrative review)
- Addressing the Occupational Risk of Radiation Exposure in the Evolving Field of Interventional Echocardiography (2024, Narrative review)
- Occupational Risks of Chronic Low Dose Radiation Exposure in Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory (2013, Narrative review)
- Occupational Radiation Risk Stratification and Protection in Fluoroscopy-Guided Surgeons and Interventionalists: A Multispecialty Structured Narrative Review (2026, Narrative review)
How this summary was made
ORSIF prepared this summary with AI assistance from the full text 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.