Radiation Exposure of Anaesthetists Visualised by Real-time Dosimetry.

BACKGROUND: Chronic exposure to occupational ionising radiation is seen as one reason for elevated cancer prevalence. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate radiation exposure of anaesthetists by real-time dosimetry. METHODS: Data of 296 patients were analyzed. Ten types of trauma operation procedures including osteosynthesis of upper and lower extremity fractures and minimally invasive stabilisation of traumatic and osteoporotic vertebral fractures were accomplished. Evaluation was performed by an occupational dosimetry system, which visualises anaesthetists radiation exposure feedback compared to surgeons in real-time. RESULTS: A significantly lower radiation exposure to anaesthetists compared to surgeons was observed in four types of operative procedures: Plate fixation of proximal humerus fractures, osteosynthesis of proximal femoral fractures, stabilisation of traumatic and osteoporotic vertebral fractures. In four types of operations (plate osteosynthesis of proximal humeral, distal radial and tibial fractures and intramedullary nailing of the clavicle), anaesthetists` amount of radiation exceeded one-third of the surgeons' exposure, especially if the C-arm tube was positioned close to the anaesthetists work station at the patients' head. CONCLUSION: By using the occupational radiation dose monitoring system, radiation exposure to anaesthetists was visualised in real-time during trauma operations. Radiation exposure of anaesthetists depends on the type of operation and the position of the C-arm. The system may help to increase anaesthetists` awareness concerning radiation exposure and to enhance compliance in using radiation protection techniques.

Evaluation of the new C-arm guiding system ClearGuide® in an orthopaedic and trauma operating theatre.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to evaluate whether the new intraoperative C-arm guiding system ClearGuide® (CG) reduces radiation exposure of the staff in an Orthopaedic and Trauma operation theatre. METHODS: Data of 95 patients CG was used were retrospectively compared using matched-pair analysis with controls without CG. Radiation dose (RD), fluoroscopic time (FT) and operation time (OT) were analysed in ten types of operative procedures. RESULTS: Use of CG led to a significant reduction (p ≤ 0.05) of the RD in intramedullary nailing and plate fixation of femoral shaft fractures as well as plating of tibia shaft fractures. Concerning FT, use of CG led to a significant reduction (p ≤ 0.05) while performing kyphoplasties and plate fixation of femoral shaft fractures. Regarding OT, no statistical significance was observed. CONCLUSIONS: CG as a simple, reproducible and intuitive communication tool for C-arm guidance reduces intraoperative staff radiation exposure especially while fixation of long bone fractures and in spine surgery.