Abstract
Introduction: The mini C arm is a surgeon operated fluoroscopic device for use in the operating theatre for extremity orthopaedic surgery. There have been no studies comparing the radiation dose of the mini C arm and the conventional C arm.
The aim of this study was to determine if the exposure to patient and surgeon was decreased with use of the mini C arm.
Methods: This was a case-control study. Operations performed with the mini C arm were matched for type, complexity and operator with cases performed with the conventional C arm. The number of exposures and the total time of exposure were measured, and the skin dose and scatter calculated.
Results: There were 16 case-control pairs. There was a significantly greater number of exposures taken by the surgeon operated mini C arm (p=0.02), but there was still a significantly lower exposure to the surgeon with the mini C arm (p=0.004). There was no significant difference in the patient skin dose (p=0.21).
Conclusions: The surgeon operated mini C arm results in a greater exposure time and number of exposures. Despite this, the mini C arm exposes the surgeon to less radiation compared to the conventional C arm in extremity orthopaedics. The radiation exposure with the mini C arm is approximately half that of the conventional C arm. The increased number of exposures may occur because surgeons are more trigger happy with the mini C arm, or because there are technical problems with achieving a useful image. The mini C arm should be used for extremity orthopaedics whenever possible to decrease the radiation exposure.
Correspondence should be addressed to Mr Carlos Wigderowitz, Senior Lecturer, University Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY.
