In plain language
Across 42 studies, reported eye, thyroid and hand doses in orthopaedic surgeons and staff were generally below annual limits but varied widely, with higher doses in minimally invasive work, at short distances, in junior surgeons and without thyroid protection.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Systematic review or meta-analysis, Systematic review
- Who was studied
- Orthopedic surgeons, Trainees, Nurses, Anesthesia staff, Mixed lab staff
- Size
- n = 42 studies
- Topics
- Eye lens and cataractsThyroidPersonal protective equipmentDosimetry and monitoringDose reduction techniquesTraining and educationSafety culture and compliance
- Summary based on
- the full text
What it found
Reported annual doses to the eyes, thyroid and hands of orthopaedic staff were below recommended limits but varied widely.
Key figures: hands 0.03 to 1.27 mSv; eyes 0.06 to 23 mSv; thyroid 0.07 to 30 mSv
Surgeons without lead thyroid protection had far higher thyroid doses than those who wore it.
Key figures: 33.2 mSv vs 0.08 mSv (415 times higher)
Minimally invasive procedures gave higher thyroid/eye doses than open surgery.
Key figures: 0.16 mSv open vs 17.2 mSv minimally invasive
Hand dose fell sharply with distance during femoral nailing.
Key figures: 1.272 mSv at 15 cm, 0.34 mSv at 30 cm, 0.080 mSv at 60 cm
Junior surgeons received higher radiation doses than senior surgeons.
Limits to keep in mind
Narrative synthesis of 42 heterogeneous observational dosimetry studies (1980-2011) using scatter plots without pooled analysis; simple quality rating, non-uniform dosimetry and several single-study comparisons limit comparability.
Related research summaries
- Radiation in the Orthopedic Operating Room: What We Know, What We Do, and What Needs Attention (2025, Narrative review)
- AST Standards for Ionizing Radiation Exposure (Guideline or consensus statement)
- ICRP Draft - Radiological Protection in Fluoroscopically Guided Procedures (Guideline or consensus statement)
- Occupational Protection in Interventional Radiology. A Joint Guideline of the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe and the Society of Interventional Radiology (2026, Guideline or consensus statement)
- Radiation Exposure, Training, and Safety in Cardiology (2024, 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.