The British journal of radiology
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The hands of the surgeon are most likely to be directly exposed to ionizing radiation during fluoroscopic screening in the orthopaedic theatre. There is however little information available on the level of exposure to radiation during the normal working pattern of individual surgeons. The purpose of this study was to directly measure the radiation exposure to the hands during fluoroscopic screening in a series of consecutive cases over a month in order to establish whether these staff need to be designated classified persons, and if not, whether they need to be routinely monitored. ⋯ In 80% of procedures the dose of radiation to the surgeon's hand was less than 100 microSv. The extrapolated annual dose, even for the surgeon with the highest radiation exposure, was well below the annual dose limit for extremities of 500 mSv per year recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection, and embodied in the Ionizing Radiations Regulations 1985. Despite the relatively low doses of radiation received by surgeons in this study, occupational exposure to all personnel should be kept to the lowest practicable levels, and a review of procedures, including dose measurements, from time to time is advised.