The portable C-arm image intensifier has been of great value to orthopaedic registrars for many years. One of its common uses in trauma surgery is during controlled reduction of long bone fractures and accurate placement of internal or external fixation devices. Ionising radiation has therefore become a serious occupational hazard for the orthopaedic registrar.
A prospective study was conducted in order to quantify the amount of ionising radiation exposure to the hands, thyroid and whole body of orthopaedic registrars during fluoroscopic internal fixation of the lower limbs, and to determine whether these registrars need to be routinely monitored for radiation exposure. The study also quantified the average operative and screening times for internal fixation of the lower limbs.
The study provided information regarding the maximum number of internal fixations of the lower limbs that can be performed by the orthopaedic registrar before the maximum dose level to the hands is exceeded.
