Radiation exposure to equine surgeons during simulated digital radiography and fluoroscopy-guided fracture fixation of the distal limb.

Use pulsed fluoroscopy and radiation-reducing gloves to minimize surgeon exposure during equine fracture fixation.

This simulation-based study quantified occupational radiation exposure to equine surgeons during digital radiography (DR) and fluoroscopy-guided distal limb fracture fixation. Using an anthropomorphic model with dosimeters positioned at anatomically relevant sites, researchers measured radiation doses across 10 exposures for each modality, then repeated measurements with radiation-reducing surgical gloves and attenuating ointment. All measured doses remained below occupational limits. Gonads received the highest mean dose (DR: 6.87 μSv; fluoroscopy: 0.98 μSv), followed by thyroid, hand, and lenses, with minimal exposure beneath the lead apron. DR consistently produced higher doses than single-image fluoroscopy at all measurement sites. Radiation-reducing surgical gloves significantly reduced hand exposure during DR procedures, while topical ointment provided no protective benefit. The study demonstrates that while hand exposure from 10 DR images represents approximately one-millionth of annual occupational dose limits, protective measures and procedural modifications can further reduce surgeon exposure during image-guided equine orthopedic procedures.

This summary was distilled by AI and may occasionally misinterpret data. Confirm critical details with the primary literature before clinical application.