Whole-body radiation exposure in Trauma and Orthopaedic surgery

At a glance

Type of study

Original research, Dosimetry measurement study

Who was studied

Orthopedic surgeons, Trainees

Size

n = 60 procedures

Topics

Personal protective equipmentDosimetry and monitoringEye lens and cataracts

Summary based on

the full text

What it found

• Lead aprons reduced measured dose by about 91% (outside versus inside thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs)).

  Key figures: mean outside 163 µGy vs inside 14.4 µGy; 91.1% reduction

• Inner thigh and knee dose was higher than whole-body dose, likely because the lead skirt parts during seated procedures.

  Key figures: 2.7 mSv/yr estimated

• Estimated annual torso dose under the apron was far below the category B limit.

  Key figures: 0.14 mSv/yr vs 6 mSv limit

• Estimated annual eye lens dose was low, based on the thyroid collar measurement.

  Key figures: 0.7 mSv/yr without eye protection; <0.28 mSv/yr with lead glasses

• Hip procedures and femoral nails had the highest patient dose-area product (DAP) and the highest surgeon scatter dose. Outliers were linked with high patient body mass index (BMI) but were not tested statistically.

Limits to keep in mind

This was a small single-centre study over six weeks (60 procedures, few high-dose cases) with annual doses extrapolated. Eye dose was estimated from a collar-level dosimeter, and no hand dose was measured.

Related research summaries

• Radiation in the Orthopedic Operating Room: What We Know, What We Do, and What Needs Attention (2025, Narrative review)
• Occupational Radiation Doses to Operators Performing Fluoroscopically-Guided Procedures (2012, Systematic review)
• Radiation exposure of eyes, thyroid gland and hands in orthopaedic staff: a systematic review (2012, Systematic review)
• AST Standards for Ionizing Radiation Exposure (Guideline or consensus statement)
• ICRP Draft - Radiological Protection in Fluoroscopically Guided Procedures (Guideline or consensus statement)