Radiation exposure to equine surgeons during simulated digital radiography and fluoroscopy-guided fracture fixation of the distal limb

At a glance

Type of study

Original research, Phantom or simulation study

Who was studied

Other surgeons, Phantom or simulation (no people)

Topics

Personal protective equipmentDosimetry and monitoringEye lens and cataractsThyroidPregnancy and reproductive healthDose reduction techniques

Summary based on

the abstract

What it found

• All simulated doses were below occupational limits; the gonad position outside the gown received the highest dose.

  Key figures: Gonads DR: 6.87 ± 0.40 μSv; fluoroscopy: 0.98 ± 0.28 μSv

• Digital radiography produced higher doses than single-image fluoroscopy at every site.

  Key figures: p < .001

• Radiation-reducing surgical gloves significantly lowered hand dose; attenuating ointment had no effect.

  Key figures: gloves p < .001; ointment p = .54

• Dose under the lead gown (fetal dose estimate) was minimal.

  Key figures: DR: 0.01 ± 0.01 μSv; fluoroscopy: 0.01 ± 0.01 μSv

• Thyroid and lens positions received intermediate doses.

  Key figures: Thyroid DR 2.60 ± 0.52 μSv; lenses DR 1.25 ± 0.28 μSv

Limits to keep in mind

Simulation on an anthropomorphic model with only 10 exposures per condition in a veterinary equine setting; the magnitude of glove dose reduction is not reported in the abstract and results may not reflect real procedures.

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