The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume
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A prospective study of sixty-five orthopaedic procedures performed with fluoroscopic assistance was undertaken to determine the risk to the primary orthopaedic surgeon with regard to radiation. Radiation was monitored with the use of a universal film badge placed outside the collar of a lead apron, and a gas-sterilized thermoluminescent dosimeter ring worn on each hand. The rings were changed with every operation, but the same film badge was transferred from surgeon to surgeon. ⋯ The mean duration of the fluoroscopy was 2.3 minutes for the group for which the rings did not show a positive reading and 4.7 minutes for the group for which the rings did show a positive reading. This was a significant difference (p < 0.0001). There was no positive reading for exposure to radiation from any ring that had been worn during a procedure in which the fluoroscope had been used for less than 1.7 minutes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)